?.vi¥'- ■^■- • ■ r y-'- 



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GEORGE COLFAX BALDWIN, D. D. 



NOTES 






OF A. 



FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 



GEORGE COLFAX BALDWIN, D. D., 

TROY, N. Y. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 
1420 Chestnut Street. 



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pWA^HINGTONJI 
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1888, by the 

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



EEmCATIDN. 



THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, TROY, N. Y., 

WHICH I HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS PASTOR 
FROM 1844 TO 1885. 

X 

I thank God " for your fellowship in the gospel, from the first day until now." 

" Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces." . . . . " They 
shall prosper that love thee." 

" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do 
not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not 
Jerusalem above my chief joy." 

G. C. B. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

An Open Letter to the Reader 11 

PART FIRST. 
Preliminaries 17 

I. 
Pour Cousins. — A Mechanic ; a Farmer ; a Yice- 
President; and a Minister 19 

II. 
A Wayside Opportunity Improved ' 22 

III. 
First Pastor 24 

lY. 
New Departures 26 

Y. 

Failure in College and Seminary 29 

YI. 
First Protracted Meeting 31 

YII. 
A Shrunken Sinew 33 

YIII. 
Providential Interpositions 35 

IX. 

A Bullock Yoked 36 

5 



6 CONTENTS. 

PAET SECOND. 

PAGE 

The Pastorate 39 

I. 
Circumstances of the Call 41 

n. 

Church Alteratives 42 

III. 
Helping Inquirers 44 

lY. 
Organizing Young Church Members 45 

y. 

Prayer-Meetings 47 

YI. 
Children.— Sunday Schools. — Parents 50 

YII. 
Church Liberalities 59 

YIII. 
A Gold Ring 64 

IX. 
Suicide of a Young Lawyer 67 

X. 
Ministry to Murderers 92 

XL 
A Discomfited Skeptic 99 

XII. 
Relations to Soldiers 102 



CONTENTS. 7 

XIII. 

PAGE 

The Witch of Endor 112 

XIY. 
Whipping Churches 157 

XY. 
Major De Golyer.— A Story of the War 158 

XYI. 
Kelations to Temperance 164 

XYII. 
A Baptist Bishop 167 

XYIII. 

A Minister who Could ISTot Do a Mean Thing 170 

XIX. 
A Missionary's Legacy 172 

XX. 
Neighboring Pastors 174 

XXI. 
Denominational Progress 178 

XXII. 

How Life Looks at Sixty 182 

XXIII. 
Long Pastorates 203 

PART THIRD. 
Supplemental Kotes = 209 

I. 

Pastoral Anniversaries 211 



8 CONTENTS. 

II. 

PAGE 

Invocations 211 

III. 
The Benediction 213 

IV. 
Administering Baptism 213 

Y. 

*' Close Communion." 214 

YI. 
An Atmosphere 216 

YII. 
The Covenant Meeting 217 

YIII. 
Church Discipline 218 

IX. 

Sanctifying Systematic Benevolence 219 

X. 

Relief for Silent Christians 221 

XI. 
Chief Sources of Pastoral Trouble 222 

XII. 
Unpardonable Sins 223 

XIII. 
Specialty for a Prayer-Meeting 224 

XIY. 
Securing a Settlement 225 



CONTENTS. 9 

XY. 

PAGE 

When Ought a Pastor to Resign ? 226 

XVI. 
A Change Proposed 227 

XYII. 
" The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.'' 228 

XYIII. 
A Daily Prayer 229 

XIX. 
Preaching 230 

XX. 

A Potential Trait 232 

XXI. 

Two Kinds of Fools 233 

XXII. 
Evolution 234 

XXIII. 
Extemporaneous Preaching 235 

XXIY. 
Daily Readiness 237 

XXY. 
A Worthy Want 239 

XXYI. 
Guarding a Good Name 240 

XXYII. 
A Quieting Text 241 



10 COKTENTS. 

XXYIII. 

PAGE 

Holiness Defined 243 

XXIX. 
Tear of a Lawyer 244 

XXX. 
Hearing Both Sides 245 

XXXI. 
A Little Thing 247 

XXXII. 

The Greatest Duty— Most Neglected 248 

XXXIII. 
Submission to God's Will 251 

XXXIY. 

The Pastor's Wife.— Light in Darkness 253 

PAET FOURTH. 
The End 257 

I. 
Commemorative Sermon 259 

II. 
The Resignation 277 

III. 

Action of the Church. — Its Testimonial 280 

TV. 
Retired Pastors 283 



An Open Letter to the Reader. 



Whoever you are, God bless you, and grant that this 

book, which is an outline of some of the ways he has led, 

and some of the lessons he has taught, one of his servants, 

may interest and profit you. It originated in the desire 

of my family for a memorial, and, in their judgment, 

that it would be honoring to our adorable Lord. That 

desire and judgment became decisive, when I was assured 

that they were concurred in by eminent brethren, among 

whom I am permitted to mention the President and 

Theological Professors of Madison University, my Alma 

Mater. In writing it, the temptation was strong to deal 

in generalities — such as the wonderful events which have 

occurred in our country during this pastorate, the growth 

and present condition of the city in which it was spent, 

the progress of Christianity throughout the world, and 

references to leading ministers, the most of whom I knew ; 

for I have canonized in my memory and heart the names 

of three hundred and fifty-seven Baptist ministers, with 

whom I was personally acquainted, who have died during 

the last forty-one years. What I believe to have been a 

wiser judgment, was the decision to confine myself to 

" Notes of a Forty-one Years' Pastorate," and making it 

11 



12 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE READER. 

as impersonal as I could, record only such facts as would 
illustrate truths or emphasize duties. 

In this pastorate there were few specialties worthy of 
record ; but the length of its duration made it exceptional, 
and the action of the church at its close is unprecedented, 
so far as I know, in the history of our churches. To that 
I ask special attention. By it I hope that pious young 
men will be encouraged to enter the ministry ; young pas- 
tors stimulated to patient continuance in locations where 
God has placed them ; and churches induced — according 
to their ability — to deal similarly toward old pastors, 
whose official lives have been consecrated to their service. 

I wish in this connection to bear to you three testi- 
monies. One relates to the gospel. With another, I 
testify that, at thirty, after examining as best I could the 
philosophies and religions of the world, I said : " Nothing 
is better than the gospel of Christ." At forty, when 
burdens began to press heavily, and years seemed to 
hasten, I said : " Nothing is so good as the gospel." At 
fifty, when there were empty chairs in my home, and 
mound-builders had done me service, I said : " There is 
nothing to be compared to the gospel." At sixty, when 
my second sight saw through the illusions and vanity 
of earthly things, I said : " There is nothing but the 
gospel." At seventy, amid many limitations and de- 
privations, I sing : 

Should all the forms which men devise 
Attack my faith, with treacherous art, 

I'd call them vanity and lies, 
And bind the gospel to my heart. 



AN OPEN LETTER TO THE READER. 13 

Clearer than ever, I dow see the wisdom of the last 
words of " The Will " of Patrick Henry, the Virginian 
orator. They were these : " I have now disposed of all 
my property to my family ; but there is one thing more I 
wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. 
If they had that, and I had not given them one shilling, 
they would be rich ; if they have it not, they will be poor, 
even if I had given them the whole world." 

With the great and good Rev. Dr. Brown, I truthfully 
say : " Little as I know of Christ — and I am ashamed 
that I know so little — I would not give it up for the 
learning of ten thousand universities." 

Chateaubriand said : " I never saw Washington but 
once; but that one look inspired me for life." 

Even so, one believing look at him who is "the chief 
among ten thousand," at him in whom " all human and 
divine glories meet and shine," wall arouse any soul to 
purest, loftiest aspirations, holiest living, and most God- 
honoring, world-blessing efforts. 

At Waterloo, in a critical juncture, Wellington ordered 
an officer to charge upon and take a strong position held 
by the enemy, from which he was doing dreadful execu- 
tion. The task seemed almost hopeless. The officer 
hesitated a moment, and then said : 

" General, let me feel once more the pressure of your 
victorious hand, and I will take that stronghold." 

Even so one pressure of the scarred hand of the con- 
quering " Captain of our Salvation " will inspire a hero- 
ism that will not quail before any danger in the path of 
loyalty to duty. 



14 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EEADEE. 

When that heroic martyr, Jerome of Prague, was 
bound to the stake for the testimony of Jesus, he saw 
the executioner creeping up behind him to fire the fagots, 
and exclaimed : 

*' Come round in front and light them. If I had been 
afraid of your fire, I had not been here to-day.'* 

Another testimony relates to the ministry. After a 
long pastorate in one church, with all of its varied ex- 
periences, and observation of all other spheres of life, I 
am fully satisfied that no position on earth is so desirable 
as that of " a good minister of our Lord Jesus Christ ; " 
that no other vocation secures so reliably all needed 
temporal good, opens so widely all the avenues of social 
life, or afibrds such aids to self-culture, character-build- 
ing, and opportunities of service to humanity. The 
great Italian artist, Corregio, once stood enraptured before 
a grand painting, and joyfully exclaimed, " Thank God, 
I, too, am a painter." So, when I remember that the 
world's Redeemer was a minister; that many of the 
grandest men who have ever lived have been ministers ; 
that the class of men that have done most for the spirit- 
ual elevation of our race is the ministry ; that to them 
have been specially committed the oracles of God ; that 
the men of largest influence, most loved and honored, 
are worthy ministers of the gospel, — my heart exclaims, 
with an intensity of enthusiasm greater than that of 
Corregio, "Thank God, I, too, am a minister." In no 
other position or profession in this world can any one, 
however great his abilities or success, truthfully utter 
expressions like these : " In all things approving our- 



AN OPEN LETTER TO THE READER. 15 

selves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflic- 
tions, in necessities, in distresses, by pureness, by 

knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy 
Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the 
power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the 
right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by 
evil report and good report : as deceivers, and yet true ; 
as unknown, and yet well-known ; as dying, and behold, 
•we live ; as chastened, and not killed ; as sorrowful, yet 
always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as 
having nothing, yet possessing all things." 

Is it any wonder that, at the close of such a career, 
Paul could look his fierce executioner steadily in the 
face, and triumphantly say, " I have fought a good fight, 
I have finished my course, I hav-e kept the faith ; hence- 
forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness?" 

Finally, I wish you to know that, as my eventide 
deepens, I find my heart spontaneously saying, with in- 
creasing fervor, "Glory to God in the highest, and on 
earth peace, good will toward men " — of all classes — every- 
where ; and growing more and more tender in its love for 
and sympathy with Christians of all names, ministers of 
the gospel, and specially young pastors, and students for 
the ministry. They will allow "an_ elder" to exhort 
them to remember these fine lines of Whittier : 

" To sufier is sublime. 

Pass the watchword down the line- 
Pass the countersign — " Endure." 

Not to him who rashly dares, 

But to him who nobly bears, 
Is the victor's garland sure. 



16 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE READER. 

" Self-ease is pain, the only rest 
Is labor for a worthy end ; 

A toil that gains with what it yields, 
And scatters to its own increase, 

And hears, while sowing outward fields, 
The harvest song of inward peace." 

For them I pray, that they may " be filled with the 
knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual under- 
standing ; that they may walk worthy of the Lord unto 
all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and in- 
creasing in the knowledge of God ; strengthened with all 
might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience 
and long-suffering with joyfulnessJ' 
Yours in Christ, 

GEO. C. BALDWIN. 

Tegy, 3Sr. Y., Oct. 21, 1887. 



PART FIRST. 



PRELIMIN^AKIES. 



"Yon stream whose sources run, 
Turned by a pebble's edge, 
Is Athabasca, rolling toward the sun, 
Through the cleft mountain ledge. 

"The slender rill had strayed, 
But for the slanting stone. 
To evening's ocean, with the tangled braid, 
Of foam-flecked Oregon. 

"So, from the heights of Will, 
Life's parting streams descend. 
And, as a moment turns its slender rill, 
Each winding current bends. 

"From the same cradle's side. 
From the same mother's knee. 
One, to long darkness and the frozen tide, 
One to the Peaceful Sea." 

O. W. Holmes, 



17 



NOTES 



OF A 



FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 



PART FIRST. 



PRELIMINARIES. 



I. 

FOUR COUSINS. — A MECHANIC ; A FARMER ; A VICE-PRESIDENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES; AND A MINISTER. 

More than sixty years ago, four cousins were 
accustomed to spend their vacations together at 
Pompton, New Jersey. They were the grandsons of 
General William Colfax, who during the Revolu- 
tionary War was commandant of Washington's Body- 
guard, lived in his family as a private secretary, and 
was a favorite of Mrs. Washington, from whom he 
received presents, which are treasured by his descend- 
ants. The oldest of these boys was William Colfax 
Berry. He was also the strongest, physically and men- 
tally. But his father was a distiller; and the picture 
of his " still '^ — with its winding, brazen " worm," is 

19 



20 A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

vivid to me now — for it looked to my young eyes like 
a snake, although I did not know then, as I know 
now, that it was a fit symbol of that which " biteth 
like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder," and 
prepares souls to become the victims of " the worm 
that never dieth." He died of intemperance, and his 
son, in early life, became a mechanic ; but soon 
followed his father to a dishonored grave, from the 
same cause. The next in age was William Washing- 
ton Colfax, who became a successful farmer, an active 
politician, a useful citizen ; but died in middle-life, of 
heart disease. The third was Schuyler Colfax, whose 
career has few equals. Early left an orphan, becom- 
ing a clerk at eleven years of age, he worked in a 
store and on a farm until he was twenty-one, and 
then devoted himself to newspapers and politics. He 
was elected to three successive Congresses, and thrice 
to the position of Speaker, in which he rivaled the 
fame of Henry Clay; and, after General Grant, was the 
most prominent candidate for the Presidency. But, 
alas ! that triumphant career was prematurely brought 
to an end, by an unexpected disaster. On the single 
charge of having received two hundred dollars as a 
dividend, on a small portion of *' Credit Mobilier " 
stock, he was politically ruined. In simple justice to 
his memory, I state two facts. After his death, while 



A FORTY-OKE YEAKS' PASTORATE. 21 

absent from home, was found on his person a letter 
addressed to his wife, w^iich closes thus : 

When our little boy is old enough to understand all 
this ; if he knows anything of the base and bitter 
calumny to which his father was subjected by enemies 
and ingrates ; he will realize what an honest and faithful 
servant received for twenty years of the prime of his 
life given to the service of his country ; and that all that 
sustained me during that wild storm of calumny was the 
knowledge that God, at the last day, would make my 
honesty and truthfulness known to all men, and that my 
wife knew it, and confided to the utmost in 

Her loving and devoted husband, 

Schuyler Colfax. 

The last time he visited me we sat and talked on 
family and general topics until a very late hour of 
the night. Suddenly, he exclaimed : 

" George, why don't you ask me about the Credit 
Mobilier ? " 

I replied, that I did not care to do so, unless he in- 
troduced it. Then, with solemnity, he asked : 

" Do you believe that I am a Christian ? " 

" Most assuredly I do,'' I responded. 

"Well then," he said, "you know the meaning 
I attach to the words I now utter. I stake my hope 
of heaven on my perfect innocence of ever receiving 



22 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

one cent of the money they charged me with having 
received from Oakes Ames/' 

I believed him, despite the unfavorable circum- 
stances which were connected with his case — because 
those circumstances were not incompatible with 
innocency. And I could not believe that a man of 
his life-long integrity and piety, could or would have 
volunteered at midnight, in the solitude of my study, 
such a statement, had it not been absolutely true. 

The only survivor of those four cousins was the 
son of James L. Baldwin, M. D., and he became a 
minister. The following " Notes " are of his pas- 
torate. 



11. 

A WAYSIDE OPPORTUNITY IMPROVED. 

*' That God rules in the affairs of men is as certain as 
any physical fact." — George Bancroft. 

" There are few important events in the lives of men, 
brought about by their own choice." — Gen. Grant. 

The truths expressed in these quotations are illus- 
trated in every life, whether lowly or exalted. When 
a child at Paterson, New Jersey, I was sent by my 
mother to gather chips, with which she might kindle 
a fire. While thus employed, a young man, pass- 



A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 23 

ing along, stopped, and in a kind voice asked, if I 
went to Sunday-school? I replied in the negative. 
He then inquired if I would not be willing to go to 
the Baptist Sunday-school ? Our family were all 
connected with the Dutch Reformed Church, for 
which I have retained, through all my life, a tender 
veneration. I had never heard of Baptists, and dis- 
tinctly remember that I wondered what kind of 
people they could be. But the interest which this 
stranger took in me touched my young heart ; and I 
told him I would go, if my mother was willing. She 
consented, on condition that he would come on Lord's 
Day, and take her little boy to his school, and show 
him some attention, while he would be among entire 
strangers. He did so, and led me to the school in 
which I was converted, and to the church by which I 
was licensed to preach the gospel. By the improve- 
ment of that literally wayside opportunity my whole 
life and church associations were determined. May 
multitudes follow the example of Andrew Hopper. 
It was a joy to me that subsequently he himself 
became a minister, and pastor of several churches in 
New Jersey. " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest 
not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or 
whether they both shall be alike good." 



24 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

III. 

FIRST PASTOR. 

" They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the 
firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as 
the stars for ever and ever."^— Dan. 12 : 3. 

Of that early disciple, Barnabas, it is not related 
that he had impulsive energy, like Peter ; or intuitive 
spirituality, like John ; or judicial mindedness, like 
James ; or genius, like Paul ; but it is recorded of 
him, that " he was a good man, full of the Holy 
Ghost, and of faith '' ; and that through his influence, 
" many were added to the Lord.'' What a sublime 
eulogium that is ! He must have been good, not 
merely in some characteristics and relationships, but 
goodness must have permeated his entire manhood 
and life; and that, not through the evolution of 
natural virtues, but by the sanctification of the 
Divine Spirit. No wonder, therefore, that he was 
influential and successful. 

With gratitude, I apply these words to my beloved 
first pastor. Elder Zelotes Grenell. He was religiously 
" a good man," and " through him '' very many 
" were added to the Lord.'' With few educational 
advantages, but with exceptional natural abilities, and 
continuous study of the Bible, he became eminent as 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTOR A.TE. 25 

a preacher and pastor. He believed the Bible to be, 
what Dr. Talmage called it : " The hive of all sweet- 
ness ; the armory of all reliable weapons ; the tower 
which contains the crown jewels ; the lamp that 
kindles all other true lights; the home of all majesties 
and splendors; the marriage-ring that unites the ter- 
restrial with the celestial, while all the clustering 
white-robed denizens of the sky, hovering around, 
rejoice at the nuptials." 

His active ministry extended over seventy-five 
years, during which he preached ten thousand ser- 
mons, and baptized one thousand converts ! He was 
one of the best skeletonizers I ever knew. His 
method was, not " to preach from a text '^ ; but to 
evolve, illustrate, and apply the truth in a text — to 
preach its heart into the hearts of his hearers. In his 
biography by his son, published by " The North New 
Jersey Baptist Association," is found the following, 
written by myself: 

"Both Mrs. Baldwin and I loved your father, 
as our father in the gospel, who baptized us, and was 
our first pastor. The coming to us of your honored 
father, in the prime of his stalwart manhood, his 
energy in the pulpit, his touching pathos and loving 
earnestness, surprised us, and soon won our admira- 
tion. In fact we were amazed at his enthusiasm, 



26 A FORTY-OXE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

mental and spiritual resources, power of endurance — 
preaching regularly three times on Sunday — and the 
persistency of his zeal in winning souls. He was in 
truth, ^a good minister of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 
With tenderest, grateful affection, I pay this slight 
tribute to the memory of one to whom I owe 
so much.'* 



lY. 



NEW DEPABTHRES. 



" I will lead them in paths that they have not known." 
—Isaiah 42: 16. 

Soon after my baptism, while a clerk in a store, out 
of a desire to fit myself for usefulness, grew a purpose 
to obtain an education, which resulted in my teaching 
a small school in Pompton, my native town. There 
my uncle. Dr. W. W. Colfax, told me that if I 
would become a Dutch Reformed minister, there 
would be no difficulty in my going through college and 
seminary. His pastor preached three sermons for my 
special benefit on " Baptism : Its Subjects and Mode." 
I could not answer his arguments, and did not try to; 
but listened with reverent attention to his private, as 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 27 

well as public instructions, because I knew that he 
Avas sincerely interested in me. But the two funda- 
mental ideas I had learned in Sunday-school — believ- 
ers the only proper subjects of baptism, and sym- 
bolic burial and resurrection the only proper mode — 
Jiad taken such root in mv mind, that neither his 
sermons or private arguments moved them a hair's- 
breadth. The good man gave up his effort when, one 
day in his study, after he had dwelt upon the 
modern origin of Baptists, I took from his shelf 
"Mosheim's Church History," which was then a 
standard work, of which I had read only a small 
portion, and showed him this passage : " The his- 
tory of the Baptists is hid in the remote depths of 
antiquity." 

In those days there was a romantic interest among 
Baptists in " The Hamilton Literary and Theological 
Institution," which now bears the title of " Madison 
University." Its origin, in 1817, when thirteen men 
formed " The Baptist Education Society of the State 
of New York," and having each contributed one 
dollar, they all knelt and asked God to accept and 
prosper their sacred enterprise; the stimulus which 
had been given by this action to the subject of minis- 
terial education throughout our denomination ; the 
missionaries who went out from it to the East and the 



28 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

West ; the trained pastors it was providing for our 
churches at home ; and, specially, its facilities for aid- 
ing poor young men, who, licensed by the churches, 
desired educational preparation for the ministry, — all 
these facts brought " The Institution " very close to 
the hearts of a majority of our people. With a small 
amount of money, but with rich benedictions from 
my pastor and church, I went to Hamilton — not 
being acquainted with a single person in the State of 
New York. On my way there, an incident occurred 
which influenced my life. I call it, " Caging Birds." 
While standing, sad and lonely, on the bow of the 
North E-iver steamboat, an old man came and spoke 
kindly to me, inquiring who I was, and whither 
I was going. He gave me much good advice. 
One thing was this : " Young man, good thoughts, 
truths, and illustrations are like birds, which, when 
you get them, must be caged, or they will certainly 
fly away." Acting on that suggestion, my note books, 
for working purposes, have been the most useful of 
all my library. 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 29 

V. 

FArLURE IN COLLEGE AND SEMINARY. 

My success as a student was sadly iudiffereut. 
Three causes contributed to that result. One was a 
permanent weakness of my eyes, on account of which 
I have never used them more than two hours a day. 
Another was a lack of the power of concentration, 
which made it impossible to fix my attention. This, 
in the latter part of my course, was helped by a phre- 
nologist, who, upon examining my head, found a 
depression, where, as indicative of concentrativeness, 
there should have been an elevation, and exclaimed : 

"Young man, you can never become a real student, 
nor succeed on any other line of life.'^ That an- 
nouncement greatly depressed me; upon seeing which 
he said : " Stop, let me examine your other organs." 
And, having done so, he reported the presence of 
other faculties, which, he said, if I had sufficient will- 
power, would enable me to overcome my constitu- 
tional defect. 

Emerson declared that our chief trouble is " in- 
firmity of will " ; and " our chief need is some powei 
which shall make us do what we can." Painfully 
conscious of my need, I resolved to use faithfully 
what will-power I had, and daily prayed that God 



30 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

would "streno-then me bv his miocht in the inner 
man." The success attending this effort is seen in 
the length of my pastorate, if not in the depth and 
width of my attainments. And that success has indi- 
cated in my mind the justice of our adorable Creator, 
in holding to responsibility all different organizations ; 
for he has placed in all of them power which, if rightly 
used, by his gracious, proffered aid, will enable all to 
obey his righteous will. 

The chief cause, however, of my failure, was a 
restless desire to get into the active work of the min- 
istry. That, I now see, was a delusion and a snare, 
although at the time I was conscientious in regard to 
it. I thought of the needs of a dying world, that 
souls might perish through lack of what I might do 
for them, that I could pursue studies after settlement 
as pastor ; that I was poor, and it was wrong to incur 
debt ; that I could preach well enough to satisfy an 
ordinary church. I have long since ascertained that 
all of that was superficial nonsense, and not the 
potential causes of my restlessness. The facts "were, 
that I was engaged to be married ; had gotten tired of 
college studies; that I had an over-estimate of my 
abilities, and an under-estimate of the responsibilities 
of the ministry. These were the real, although un- \ 

recognized, influences which, but for divine iuterpo- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 31 

sition, would have dwarfed my whole life. Of course, 
there are exceptions to all rules, and there may be to 
this. But in the judgment of all wise, good men, any 
young man, whatever his abilities, who has been called 
of God to preach, has as really been called by him to 
secure the most thorough intellectual, and theological 
preparation for it that he possibly can ; and to 
neglect the latter is to dishonor the former. Oh ! if 
young men only knew the exhausting drafts made 
upon pastors by the general intelligence of the people, 
the demands of all churches, large or small, in the 
city or the country, by the tremendous oppositions of 
the world, the flesh, and the devil, to " the truth as it 
is in Jesus,'' they would devoutly thank God that our 
collegiate and seminary courses are so protracted and 
thorough, and would allow no temptations or sacri- 
fices to prevent them from patiently pursuing and 
perfectly completing them. 



yi. 

FIRST PROTRACTED MEETING. 



In the spring vacation of 1840, during our Junior 
Year, learning that a fellow-student — Lawson Murry 
— who was eminent among us for piety and useful- 
ness, had engaged to conduct a " Protracted Meet- 



32 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

iog'' at Charlestown, Montgomery County, New 
York, I asked permission to go with him, because 
I had never attended such a meeting. Circum- 
stances preventing his going at the appointed time, 
he deputed me to go and commence it. Similar 
causes preventing his coming, the responsibility de- 
volved exclusively upon me. The Lord so graciously 
heard our prayers, and blessed the labors of his peo- 
ple, that at the end of two weeks, there were thirty 
rejoicing converts. Elder Elijah Herrick had been 
pastor of that church for forty years. He treated 
the ^^ Hamilton student " with paternal kindness, and 
chiefly through his influence, the church took action, 
which is thus recorded in its published history ; 

In 1840, the church invited George C. Baldwin, a 
licentiate, to labor as co-pastor with Father Herrick. 
He was ordained June 17th, and by September had bap- 
tized fiftv converts. Never were father and son more 
tenderly attached than Father Herrick and George C. 
Baldwin. They were truly of one heart, one mind, and 
one soul — " striving together for the furthei-ance of the 
gospel.'^ 

After ordination, I was united in marriage with 
Cynthia M. Jacobs, and we gave a home to my two 
orphan sisters and brother. My salary was two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars per annum; but in that pro- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 33 

ductive country, among that very generous people, at 
the end of two years, when we left them, we had 
saved a little ; and bore with us the good will of the 
church and community. 



yii. 

A SHRUNKEN SINEW. 



" I am more afraid of my own heart, than of the pope 
and all of his cardinals." — Luther. 

" 1 falter, where I firmly trod." — TENmrsoN, 

In Genesis, it is recorded that, when the angel who 
wrestled with Jacob saw that he prevailed not, he 
touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, and that the 
touch was so potential, that a strong sinew shrank ; 
and he not only " halted as he passed over Peniel," 
but was lame for life. Having been invited by Elder 
David Corwin, immediately after our precious re- 
vival at Charlestown, to assist him in a similar meet- 
ing at Gloverville, I had there an experience which 
corresponds with that of Jacob. I went full of com- 
placent self-confidence; probably thinking that I 
understood perfectly the "whole theory of revivals — 
knew exactly what must be preached, and pre- 
cisely what must be done to secure a revival any- 



34 A FOETY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 

where, at any time. In this spirit I preached, twice 
each day, the same sermons I had preached at Charles- 
town, employed exactly the same measures, during 
two whole weeks; and to my mortified amazement, no 
spiritual results followed. At that juncture, the 
pastor's wife, a devoted Christian woman, mournfully 
exclaimed : 

'^ Alas, Brother Baldwin, we have fished two weeks, 
and caught nothing." 

Through that exclamation, God touched the strong 
sinew of my self-conceit, and it quickly shrank. Re- 
tiring to my room, a horror of great darkness fell 
upon me, as revelations came clearer and clearer of 
my guilty ambition, and wicked pride. Literally 
prostrating myself on the floor, for the first and last 
time in my life, I gave up my hope that I was a 
Christian. I could not see how a man could be a 
true Christian and so dishonor the Holy Spirit, and 
disgrace the name of Christ. My manhood suggested 
that there was one thing I could do^ which ought to 
be done; and I did it. At the next service, declining 
to enter the pulpit, after the introductory services, 
conducted by the pastor were over, I arose and made 
frank and full confession of my sin, and took entirely 
on myself the blame for the public failure of our 
efforts. The good pastor and the good people wept 



A FORTY-ONE YEARs' PASTORATE. 35 

like children. Before the close of that service, more 
than forty unconverted persons asked the church to 
pray for them ; among them was my own sister, who 
is now the wife of Samuel Graves,©. D. ; and a wide- 
spread genuine revival followed. Ever since, the 
sinew of my confidence in myself, and in " measures," 
has remained permanently shrunken. 



YIII. 

PROVIDEISTLAX INTERPOSITIONS. 

Three months after I left college, our class left ; 
because Professor Conant was going to Germany, to 
remain two years. At the expiration of that time he 
returned, and many of our classmates also returned. 
Professor G. W. Eaton, who was one of the grandest 
of men, immediately wrote me a letter, depicting, in 
his glowing style, that Providence had opened the 
way for my completing my studies, with my own dear 
old class, and how disastrous the consequences would 
be, if I did not avail myself of it. But, I had a 
family, consisting of six persons, to support, and the 
church unanimously desired me to remain with them. 
Father Herrick thought that to go back to Hamilton, 
under such circumstances, was not merely unnecessary, 
but presumptuous. My eyes were opened to see my 



36 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

imperative duty, and precious privilege. Therefore, 
in the depth of winter, with my family, a fair stock 
of plain furniture, a barrel of pork, and a barrel of 
potatoes, and one hundred dollars — which we had 
saved by small economies — we went hopefully to our 
" School of the Prophets." During these two years, our 
family was supported by what I received for preaching, 
and by donations of one hundred dollars each from 
" The New York Baptist Education Society,'' and " The 
New Jersey Baptist Education Society,'' of which I 
here make public and permanent grateful acknowl- 
edgments. It was a joy to me that, in some degree, 
I was enabled to pay the former Society, by doing all 
I could in securing two scholarships of $1,200 each, 
from rav devoted friends in Trov, Hon. Jason Os- 
good, and James Wager, Esq. Through gracious 
Providential aid, I left Hamilton, owing only one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars, which was paid in 
full, with interest, three months after my settlement 
in Troy. 



IX. 

A BUIiliOCK YOKED. 

During half of the closing year of our Seminary 
course, C. P. Sheldon and I regularly supplied " The 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 37 

Broad Street Baptist Church/' at Utica, which, in its 
new location, is called ^' The Tabernacle Baptist 
Church/' It had an unusual number of mature and 
devoted men in its membership, prominent among 
whom was A. M. Beebee, Esq., who was editor of 
"The Baptist Register,'' which, at that time, was a 
very influential journal. He was a man of large 
attainments, great practical wisdom, sound judgment, 
and of saintly spirit. His wife was a most estimable 
Christian lady, who heartily joined him in extending 
hospitalities to Hamilton students, which were so cor- 
dial that I am sure they cannot be forgotten. Ham- 
ilton is twenty-eight miles from Utica ; and during that 
entire winter we traveled, each alternate w^eek, fifty- 
six miles over roads sometimes almost impassable, 
preached twice, and were paid five dollars per Sunday. 
Both of us, however, were thankful for an opportu- 
nity of doing good ; and having left, after paying 
stage fare, three dollars, which we much needed. 

Of that ministry I record an incident which I shall » 
never forget. One Lord's Day morning I announced 
this text : Jer. 31 : 18 — " I was as a bullock unac- 
customed to the yoke." Directly in front of the 
pulpit sat a family of highest respectability, who had 
been specially kind to me. Their name was " Bul- 
lock." The identitv of their name with that of the 



38 A FOBTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

vulgar beast referred to iu my text, had not occurred 
to me. But the moment I announced it — then it 
flashed like lightning upon me. My face grew hot, 
my distress great ; because I feared that it might cause 
them public mortification. But I had to go on, and 
did so with the humiliating conviction that I was 
preaching a poor sermon, in a poor way. 

Language cannot express my joyful astonishment, 
upon my next visit, at learning that the Holy Spirit 
had blessed the truths in that sermon to the conver- 
sion of the oldest son of that family, a beautiful 
young man, whom nothing had ever before reached ! 
I baptized him ; and, after having lived a Christian 
life for five years, he died a triumphant Christian 
death. Forty years afterwards, I visited the bank 
whence we went down into the baptismal water, and 
while standing there, recalling the blessed scene, the 
river seemed to sing : " Men may come and men may 
go, but I go on forever " ; and my soul replied : 
^' 'Nay, nay, old historic Mohawk, the time shall come 
when thy flow shall cease ; but ' There is a river, the 
streams of which now make glad the city of God/ 
and it shall flow on forever and forever — yea, ^ when 
from heaven's imperial citadel shall toll the requiem 
of dear nature, in the tomb of chaos laid.' '^ 



PART SECOND. 



THE PASTORATE. 



" I will give you pastors according to mine heart, who 
shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." — 
Jer. 3 : 15. 

" He gave * * * pastors." — Eph. 4:11. 

" I have striven amid many frailties, and weaknesses, 
with all charitableness, to make Westminster Abbey a 
great centre of religious life." — Dean Stanley, on bis 
death-bed. 



39 



PART SECOND. 



THE PASTORATE. 



I. 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE "CALL/ 



"^ A TT » 



The First Baptist Cliurch, Troy, New Yorlc, 
having been destitute a long time, had seven can- 
didates for its pastorate, neither of whom was satis- 
factory to a majority ; but their need was such tliat 
they had appointed a time for an election. Just then. 
Rev. Dr. Kendrick, President of " The Literary and 
Theological Institution " at Hamilton, spent a night 
with Deacon Calvin Warner in Trov, and was asked 
by his host if there was not a student under his care 
on whom the church might unite, " who could come 
to them, and grow up with them." The doctor re- 
plied that there was one who might suit them, but he 
had already been " called " to both Utica and Schenec- 
tady. '^ However,'' he added, " as the student preaches 
in the latter place next Sunday, the brethren might go 
there and hear him." The good deacon obtained an 
adjournment of the election, by reminding the church 

that when Samuel went to the family of Jesse in 

41 



42 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

search of a king, he did not recognize the divine 
choice in either of the seven elder sons, but found 
him in the youngest. It was possible that the Lord 
had in store for them a correspondency with that his- 
torical fact. It is simple truth that, while I was 
preaching, a dignified stranger entered the church, and 
I was so impressed that he had come from Troy for me, 
that I was not at all surprised when, at the close of 
the service, he told me that such was the case. 

I was called to the pastorate of that church July 
13th, 1844, and settled immediately after graduation 
in August. 



11. 

CHURCH AliTERATTVES. 



" There are diversities of operations, but it is the same 
God which worketh all in all."— 1 Cor. 12: 6. 

After laboring a few months, I became satisfied that 
the church — while consisting of an excellent member- 
ship, chiefly of persons of mature age — needed what 
physicians say elderly people often need, " a positive 
alterative.*^ Therefore, at my advice, they invited 
Elder Jacob Knapp, the celebrated evangelist, " to 
come over and help us.'' He came and labored with 
us during several weeks, with spiritual power and 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 43 

unction. Troy has seldom been so aroused as it was 
that winter. With Rev. J. N. Maffit in the State 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and Elder Knapp 
in ours — there was spiritual thunder "all around the 
sky." Our church was thoroughly revived, and large 
were the additions made to its membership. 

My judgment is that most churches need a similar 
alterative, to break up frigid formalities, and be 
aroused to aggressive work ; that therefore they 
ought, at least once in every two or three years, to 
hold special services, use special means, secure special 
aid in the person of an experienced minister, who will 
do among them what Paul urged upon Timothy — 
"the work of an evangelist." For this the Lord 
made provision when " he gave some apostles, and 
some prophets, and some evangelists," as well as 
"pastors and teachers, for the edifying of the body 
of Christ." 

I gratefully acknowledge that very much of the suc- 
cess was due to this blessed agency. It is, therefore, 
with great earnestness that I urge specially upon 
young pastors this method of employing spiritual 
alteratives for securing genuine revivals of religion in 
their own souls, and in their churches. They will 
learn more in such services about winning souls and 
arousing dormant church members, than in anv other 



44 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

way. Their experiences in such meetings will admir- 
ably complement the theoretical instructions which 
they received in the Seminaries, 



III. 



HELPINQ INQTJIEEHS. 



A Theological Professor, who is honored because of 
his professional attainments, and beloved because of 
his personal character, asked me to make a " note " of 
what, in my judgment, was the best method of dealing 
with inquirers. I comply with his request, and give 
the result of my experience. I am sure that, during 
the earlier years of my ministry, I did not help this 
interesting class much, because I dealt so exclusively 
in generalities. Mr. Webster said : " I get my ideas 
by the study of definitions.'' What such persons 
need is correct ideas of what " Repentance " and 
"Faith" are; and these can be given best by analytic 
definitions. Thus, by showing that in repentance 
there are three elements — a realization of sin ; sorrow 
on account of its guilty nature ; and immediate aban- 
donment of it. Then, by directing exclusive atten- 
tion to these elements — one by one, and showing its 
reasonableness, secure a decision upon each separately. 
So with " Faith." It also involves three elements — 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 45 

an intellectual belief of the historical record concern- 
ing Christ ; a cordial acceptance of him as a personal 
Saviour ; and a cheerful willingness to do whatsoever 
he commands ; and by explaining the reasonableness 
and Scripturalness of each of these, and urging de- 
cision upon them, one by one, the inquirer cannot fail 
of clearly perceiving " what he must do to be 
saved," and helped to a decision. By adopting this 
method, I have known some " to repent and believe " 
immediately; others to discover that they had already 
done so, and were not conscious that such was the 
fact, and emerge at once into gospel liberty ; whilst 
whatever the immediate result might be, all had clear 
conceptions of the prerequisites of salvation. 



TV. 

ORGANIZING YOUNG CHURCH MEMBERS. 

" There went with him a band of men, whose hearts 
God had touched."—! Sam. 10 : 26. 

As in all bodies, civil or military, so in churches, 
organization and discipline are essential to efficiency. 
Specially is this true in relation fo the younger disci- 
ples. Our experience has helped others in the past ; 
and that it may help young pastors in the future, an 
outline is here given. We had tried several other 



46 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

methods ; but more than thirty years ago we adopted 
one which has proven a recognized success. Its 
peculiarities are these. Its title is distinctive, express- 
ive, and Baptistic — " Tlie Covenant Baud.^^ Its cou' 
stitution is simply our church covenant ; and therefore 
all extraneous subjects are excluded, and its members 
brought into closest relations to the church. Its 
objects include both temporalities and spiritualities, 
and so meet both these classes of need. While, by 
ordinary means, such as a regular weekly public 
meeting, for the increase of the piety and develop- 
ment of the talents of its members, missionarv com- 
mittees for outside work, etc., it aims at supplying 
material aid to the needy; watching with the sick and 
dying ; burying the dead ; and in peculiar cases plac- 
ing appropriate tombstones at graves. A leading 
citizen of Troy, himself a high Free Mason, said to 
me : " I dorv't believe that there is a Masonic or Odd 
Fellowship Lodge in our city, which is doing better 
charitable work than your Covenant JBandJ^ Its officers 
are equally brothers and sisters. It is the right arm 
of the church for aggressive work — the special assist- 
ant of the pastor. In it hundreds, during more than 
a generation, have been trained to effective usefulness; 
and very many ripened for an " inheritance among the 
saints in light." 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 47 

V. 

PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

" These Christians assemble at the appointed time, and 
sing and pray alternately the praises of Christ as a 
Divine Being ; and bind themselves together by an oath, 
to commit no crime, to fulfill every promise, and to keep 
faithfully every trust." — Pliny to Emperor Trajan. 

Rev. Dr. Shaw, who during forty-six years was the 
successful pastor of one church, when asked what the 
secret of his success was, replied, " Come to my 
prayer-meetings and see.^' 

My judgment is that more of the element of "organ- 
ization " ought, in fact, if not in form, to be intro- 
duced into our stated prayer assemblies. There ought 
to be a prayer- meeting choir, as really as a church 
choir. Appropriate, inspiring singing, such as will 
interest, not only Christians, but children and people 
generally, cannot be had from any one leader, however 
qualified he may be. There ought also to be appointed 
ushers to welcome strangers, and who will seat them 
in front, where they may be easily greeted by the pastor. 
With us such meetings became an acknowledged suc- 
cess ; but it cost us years of study and persistent 
endeavor. It may interest and help young pastors to 
learn how they became such. Primarily and perpetu- 



4S A FOETY-OKE YEAES^ PASTOEATE. 

ally we strove to get rid of the formalities of sancti- 
moniousness, and realize the conception of a Christian 
church, as an "household of God/' a spiritual family 
— and its members brethren and sisters in fact, as well 
as in name ; and its weekly meetings simply gather- 
ings of the family in the Father's House for family 
worship. Next, we were careful as to timCy ordinarily 
limiting it to sixty minutes. Two minutes lost at the 
beginning, when there are one hundred persons 
present, is an aggregate loss of three hours and a half 
of precious time. It certainly was helpful for the 
people to know precisely when the service would 
begin and end. Moreover our custom of regular topics 
was helpful in a variety of ways. At the first meet- 
ing after the Lord's Supper, our topic was, " Children, 
the Sunday-school, and the Interests of Young People 
Generally." At the second, " Missions at Home and 
Abroad." At the third, " The Ministry, Colleges, 
and all Educational Institutions." At the fourth, 
*'The Churches, and" Special Needs of Your Own 
Church." Thus, every month the entire field of 
Christian service was brought before us. No two meet- 
ings were similar; while, at every one, perfect freedom 
was enjoyed for remarks and prayer in any other direc- 
tion which the Spirit might lead. We also had another 
custom which, so far as I know, was peculiar to us. 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 49 

The pastor chose, but never read the Scriptures. 
That was done by the deacons in turn ; and thus the 
deaconship was publicly recognized and honored, was 
trained to conduct meetings in the pastor's absence, 
and an interesting variety secured at each service. 
We were also careful to call attention to any special 
afflictive event in any of our families, however poor 
or obscure they might be, express sympathy with and 
offer special prayer for them. This not only gave 
tenderness to the services, but strengthened our spirit- 
ual relations to each other, and we could honestly 
sing what is often so heartlessly sung: 

" We share our mutual woes, 
Our mutual burdens bear, 
And often for each other flows 
The sympathizing tear." 

It grew on us, also, to wait patiently for the work- 
ings of the Holy Spirit in our minds and hearts, and 
to bring less and less pressure on persons to speak, 
who had nothing to say ; or pray, when they had not 
the spirit of prayer. Meanwhile we filled up the 
time with general services, urging only the duty and 
privilege of all yielding immediately to divine impul- 
sions. Finally it was our supreme effort to make 
these occasions so bright, cheerful, and profitable, that 
our unconverted friends might be attracted to them ; 

D 



50 A FORTY-ONE YEARs' PASTORATE. 

and each of our dear people feel that they could not 
afford to miss one of them; for if they did, two 
losses would be sustained — one, of the blessings they 
would receive in their own hearts, the other the loss 
of their presence and sympathy, which would be 
experienced by the church and pastor. 



yi. 

CHILDREN. SUNDAY-SCHOOIiS. PARENTS. 

" O thou bright thing, fresh from the hand of God, 
Nearer I deem the Lord, while gazing on thee ! 
'Tis ages since he made his youngest star ; 
His hands were on thee, as of yesterday ! 
O bright and singing child — what wilt thou be here- 
after?" 
" The Christ Pastor— is the Child's Pastor."— Dr. Tyng. 

How it began, I forget, but it came to pass that for 
years, at the close of each morning service, children 
from four to ten years of age, came up into the pulpit 
and kissed the pastor. That custom was very beauti- 
ful. It made the pulpit look like a bouquet of fra- 
grant, animated flowers. He will never forget it, and 
believes that they will remember it in all after years. 
On one occasion, an eminent minister, in exchange, 
occupied the pastor's place. And our little ones, as 



A FOKTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 51 

was their habit, went up into the pulpit to salute him; 
but he started back in amazement aud exclaimed : 
" Whose young ones are these? '^ At which greeting 
thev retired in shame-faced disorder. He lacked one 
essential element of success. No man can do the full 
work of the ministry without love for, and perpetual 
interest in, children. 

Forty years ago, I saw a black-eyed boy standing, 
during a service, in the door of our church, because 
he could get no seat in a pew, and asked him to come 
up to me, and sit on the highest step of my pulpit. 
He did so; and although his people belonged to 
another denomination, whose church he was accus- 
tomed to attend, he has attended ours ever since, more 
regularly than any other person; been a consistent 
member of it thirty-four years, a deacon ten years ; 
while his character as a man, and his abilitv and 
integrity as a merchant, have been a firm buttress to 
the reputation of our church in this city. When 
Daniel W^ebster w^ent to Boston — a poor, unknown 
boy — to study lavv^, he was met by the renowned 
Kufus King, who shook him kindly by the hand, and 
said : '' I know your father ; study hard, and you 
will win.'^ Sixtv vears afterwards, when on the 
summit of his fame, Mr. Webster tenderly said, "J 
still feel the pressure of that handy 



52 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTOHATE. 

Childhood is not only the impressionable period of 
a human life; but it has its own divinely appointed 
ministry. Is it not written (Isa. 11:6): *'A little 
child shall lead them?'^ A neighboring family, who 
had never been in our church, had a young daughter, 
who, being a playmate of our daughter, often took 
tea with us ; and hearing a ^' blessing '^ always in- 
voked at our table, one day asked her father why 
he did not do the same. He was touched, but only 
replied : 

"Daughter, if you desire to have it, you may ask 
it yourself.'^ 

Immediately she folded her little white hands, 
closed her eyes, and prayed as nearly as she could, as 
she had heard in our home. From that time, at 
every meal, she performed that service. Having 
joined our Sunday-school, through the influence of 
our child — now the wife of Be v. B. S. Terrv, Profes- 
sor in Madison University — her parents soon came to 
our church, where " they believed, and were baptized.'' 

There was also a childless husband and wife, who 
through the influence of our devoted Church City 

Missionary, Miss E. H , adopted a motherless 

babe. The wife at once became so impressed that 
she could not do a mother's duty unless she became a 
Christian, that she sought and found the Lord, and 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 53 

obeyed him in baptism. Her husband was obstinate ; 
but became strongly attached to the child. In about 
one year, he who had given, took her to himself. 
" The child ascended to heaven." Then he yielded, 
joined the church, and both of them are now consist- 
ent, useful members. 

In our city was a distinguished physician, who had 
a young daughter, w4iom he idolized. He was a con- 
firmed skeptic. While playing with her, one day, she 
suddenly stopped, and said : 

"Papa, where do children go to when they die?'' 
After a confused hesitation, simply to please her, 
he replied : 

" Why, of course, to heaven, my dear." 
In two weeks she died ; and he himself told me 
that all of his unbelief was buried in her grave. 

We are verily guilty if we do not thoroughly be- 
lieve in, labor and pray for, early conversions. Is 
it not written — "Remember now thy Creator in the 
days of thy youth ? " that " Eli perceived that the 
Lord had called Samuel, the child?" that "Josiah 
began, when eight years old, to seek after his father's 
God ? " It is also graciously said : " I love them 
that love me, and those that seek me early shall find 
me," " Whosoever shall receive a little child in my 
name, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, re- 



54 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

ceiveth him that sent me." " Take heed that ye 
despise not one of these little ones ; for I say unto 
you that in heaven their angels do always behold the 
face of my Father, which is in heaven." *' Except ye 
be converted and become as little children, ye shall 
not enter into the kingdom of heaven." ^' Whosoever 
shall humble himself, as a little child, the same is 
greatest in the kingdom of heaven." 

At a convention of ministers, at Syracuse, it was 
ascertained that a majority of them had been con- 
verted under fifteen years of age. Kobert Hall be- 
came a Christian at twelve ; Matthew Henry, at 
eleven ; Dr. Watts, at nine ; and President Edwards, 
at seven. Rev. C. H. Spurgeon states that in one 
year he had baptized forty children, and that they 
had '' held out" better than an average equal number 
of adults. It was prophesied of the Messiah (Isa. 
40 : 11), " He shall feed his flock like a shepherd : he 
shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in 
his bosom.'' To promote this vitally important end — 
the spiritual welfare of children — the pastor ought to 
have the closest possible relation to the Sunday-school ; 
be in confidential sympathy and active co-operation 
with its officers and teachers; and be in fact, the 
pastor of the school, as really as of the church. 
S. L. Taylor, D. d., of the M. E. Church, in a late 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 65 

book, truthfully says: '•The pastor should be the pre- 
siding genius of the whole school, and the children 
should grow up looking to him as their leader/^ 

The following fact, related of Rev. H. W. Beecher, 
is full of significant pathos. After the last public 
service that he attended in his own church, he was 
much fatigued, and remained until the congregation 
had all departed, and the organist played for him a 
tune he loved, connected with the words: 

" I heard the voice of Jesus say, 
Come unto me and rest." 

Two poor street boys, passing the church, hearing 
the music at that unusual time, stopped, and stood 
listening at the open door. As the tired, grand old 
man passed out, he saw them, and his great heart 
went out toward them. He tenderly laid his hands 
upon their heads — kissed their foreheads, and with an 
arm around each of them, left the scene of his 
triumph, trials, and sorrows, forever. Was not that 
a sublime close of a wonderful public life ? 

Cardinal Manning said : 

" Give me the children, and England shall be 
Catholic in twenty years." 

President Garfield said : 

" I have a profounder reverence for a boy than for 
a man. However poor he may be, I do not know 



56 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

what possibilities may be buttoned up beneath his 
ragged vest.'' 

John Trebonius was the teacher of Luther, in his 
boyhood, and it was his custom upon entering the 
school-room, to take off his cap and bow to his pupils. 
When asked why he did so, he replied : 

"I make my bow to the great men of the next 
generation, who sit in the boys' jackets, on these 
benches." 

It must not be forgotten, however, by parents, that 
no pastoral or Sunday-school restriction and care can 
be a substitute for the performance of their own duty 
to their own children. With parenthood God has 
associated not only high honor, but great responsi- 
bility. Peter Bavne wrote : " For the first few 
years of life, the parent is, with hardly any qualifi- 
cation, in the place of God. The home is the first 
temple in which man worships. The parent is the 
personification of perfection to the child. And if, in 
striving for that — as the child will do, even before he 
can speak — he is guided by no melodious harmony 
of parental love, embracing his parents, and uniting 
in himself — his whole nature, mental as well as moral, 
may be stunted from the first.'' 

The early conversion of their children should be 
the supreme desire, prayer, and effort of Christian 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 57 

parents. A very sick boy asked his father if he was 
"going to die?'' Overwhelmed with sorrow, in 
broken accents, the reply was : 

" Yes, my darling, the doctor says you cannot live 
until night." 

The young Christian smiled, and calmly said : 

" Well, father, don't cry, for I shall see Jesus 
to-night ; and I will tell him that ever since I can 
remember, vou tauo;ht me to love and serve him." 

My beloved brother and college classmate. Rev. 
O. B. Judd, LL. D., states the following : 

"I believe that little children are sometimes so im- 
pressed and prepared by parental influence in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord, that they pass 
from death unto life by the gentle, dove-like influence 
of the Holy Spirit upon their unseared hearts, without 
knowing when the great change takes place. I knew 
a case in which a little boy was baptized who, upon 
his examination, being asked when he met with a 
change of heart, replied : 

" ^ I don't know. I always liked God's people 
better than any others ; and I can't remember when 
I did not love Jesus.' 

" That boy became a minister of the gospel ; and, 
after years of usefulness here, died in the triumphs of 
faith." 



58 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

Another published the following : 

A cultivated, godly man, in the State of Connecticut, 
whose hospitality I was enjoying for a short time about 
ten years ago, said to me during the evening: "I must 
tell you about the conversion to Christ of my oldest boy. 
It was while we were on a tour in Europe. We were 
spending a Lord's Day in one of the beautiful valleys of 
Switzerland. On our way to the church, we stopped on 
a little hill-side overlooking the valley, and rested for a 
time under the thade of a tree. It was a very beautiful 
day. The prospect was enchanting. As we were look- 
ing at it, I said to my boy of sixteen years : 

*' ' My son, have you not thought that it is time for you 
to give your heart to God ? ' 

" His eyes filled with tears, as he looked into my face 
and said : 

" ' -Father, I have been thinking a great deal about it.' 

*' ' My son, why would not to-day be a good time? ' 

" ' Father, I am willing.' 

" And kneeling down on the green grass, under that 
cloudless sky, overshadowed by those magnificent moun- 
tains, with that beautiful valley spread out before us, we 
offered the dear boy to the Lord Jesus Christ; and a 
sweet peace, the peace that comes to the believing soul, 
rested upon his spirit. Since then my boy has been a 
faithful, consistent Christian." 

I said to myself, as he told me the incident, how mighty 
is the influence of a godly father upon a son who respects 
him — respects his character, respects his Christian profes- 
sion — when that father speaks direct, honest, religious 



A FORTY-ONE YEAR=' PASTORATE. 59 

words to his boy, and counsels him to come to Christ. 
And I said, too, how many fathers fail to bring the influ- 
ence they have to bear upon their children, their growing 
boys ; and I thought — as I think every time I hear of 
parental influence on the side of the father, or on the side 
of the mother — of all the appliances which are made use 
of under God in his church and in the world, there is no 
place like the family and the home for bringing the child 
to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, as well 
as for developing the Christian character. 



yii. 

CHURCH LIBERALITIES. 



" Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, 
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity : for God 
loveth a cheerful giver." — 2 Cor. 9 : 7. 

" Follow with reverent step the great example 
Of him, whose holy work was doing good ; 
So shall the whole world be thy Father's temple, 
Each living life a psalm of gratitude." 

The First Baptist Church of Troy has a deserved 
reputation for liberality, not only towards all worthy 
objects, but specially toward its pastors. Their sala- 
ries have always been generous, and promptly paid. 
It is with unspeakable gratitude that I recall munifi- 
cent gifts to mine and myself — not only of valuable 



60 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

things, but also of money. In 1870, when my health 
failed, because of extra labor connected with the es- 
tablishment of our " Vail Avenue Mission/'^ which is 
now a flourishing church, our people not only voted 
their pastor all the time needed for recuperation, but 
gave him a gold draft for sixteen hundred dollars to 
pay expenses, besides supplying his pulpit. But the 
crowning proof is found in the unprecedented '' An- 
nuity," which, by a spontaneous, literally unanimous 
vote, they made permanent provision for the old age 
of their old pastor. 

It is certain that there is an intimate connection 
between the liberality of a pastor toward his church, 
and their liberality towards him. ^'Like priest, like 
people." If they see in him self-seeking, money- 
loving, anxiety to get out of them all he can, their 
hearts will contract towards him, how much soever 
they may admire him in other regards. He must 
himself be an example of unselfish benevolence and 
beneficence before he may hope to develop those 
Christian virtues in them. He must remember that 
it was to his first minister's that the Lord said : "Freely 
ye have received, freely give." " Give, and it shall be 
given unto you ; good measure, pressed down, shaken 
toa:ether, and runnino^ over." " The same measure that 
ye mete to others, shall be meted to you again." The 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 61 

• pastor must be able to look his people straight in their 
faces, and say : " I have coveted no man's silver or 
gold/' '^ I seek not yours, but you." The same 
truth holds in relation to all other forms of church 
liberality. The leader must lead in giving — some- 
times to the point of real sacrifice — else his people 
will not give what they would, if he did. 

Twice during this pastorate, I had the good sense, 
and God gave me grace to do — what there was no spe- 
cial merit in doing — refuse to accept an increase of five 
hundred dollars per annum to my salary ; and once 
to insist upon its permanent reduction of that amount. 
The honest truth was, I did not think the church 
could afford to do other things which the cause needed, 
and do so much for their pastor, who always lived 
within his income, and every year saved a little. 
Soon after this last transaction, a leading citizen of 
another denomination, meeting me in the street, 
said: 

" Dr. Baldwin, you have done a foolish thing." 

I begged him to suspend final judgment until he 
gave me a hearing, and said : 

" Sir, suppose a case. Suppose that you were living 
on a farm, upon which you had lived thirty-nine 
years, and you had gotten to love every inch of its 
soil, and every object — tree, fence, stone, valley, hill. 



62 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

and stream — there ; and, further, suppose you wished 
and hoped to live on it all your life, and die upon it, 
what would you do ? Would you get out of it every 
year all you possibly could? or would you toil to 
make its soil richer and richer — more and more fertile 
and prolific?'' 

He changed his judgment and left me, satisfied that 
if he knew better than I how to manage his large 
business affairs, I knew better than he how to deal 
with a Baptist Church. 

Nothing is more important than the perpetual cul- 
tivation of intelligent Christian liberality in both 
pastor and people. It is the " liberal soul '' which 
" shall be made fat.'' To only those who " honor the 
Lord with their substance," is solid prosperity prom- 
ised. "He that watereth, shall himself be Avatered." 
" There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and 
there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it 
tendeth to poverty." The law of the kingdom is that, 
"' He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also spar- 
ingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also 
bountifully." " God loveth a cheerful giver." '* It 
is more blessed to give than to receive." " Ye know 
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he 
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye, 
through his poverty, might be rich." 



A FORTY-0>'E YEARS^ PASTORATE. 63 

The thought of the following poem is as true as its 
expression is beautiful : 

" Forever the sun is pouring his gold 

On a hundred worlds that beg and borrow ; 
His warmth he scatters on summits cold, 

His wealth on homes of want and sorrow. 
To withhold his layers of precious light, 
Is to bury himself in eternal night. 

To give is to live. ' 

"The flower blooms not for itself at all, 
Its joy is the joy of its free diffuses ; 
Of beauty and balm it is prodigal ; 

And it lives in the life it directly loses. 
No choice for the rose but glory or doom, 
To exhale, or to smother ; to wither or bloom. 
To deny is to die. 

" The seas lend silvery rays to the land, 

The land its sapphire streams to the ocean, 
The heart sends blood to the brain of command, 

The brain to the heart its lightning motion. 
And ever and ever we yield our breath, 
Till the mirror is dry, and images — death. 
To live is to give. 

"He is dead whose hand is not opened wide 
To help the need of a human brother ; 
He doubles the life of his life-long ride 

Who gives his fortunate place to another. 
And a thousand million lives are his 
Who carries the world in his sympathies. 
To deny is to die." 



64 A FOKTY-ONE YEAKS' PASTORATE. 

YIII. 



A GOLD KING. 



There are in every life some rare experiences wliicli 
are " more precious tlian gold, yea, than much fine 
gold." Such an one was the following : 

There was a successful business gentleman, who was 
connected with a neighboring Baptist Church, in which 
there often occurred what greatly annoyed him, inso- 
much, that he came to me one day, and, saying that 
he had about made up his mind to sunder his connec- 
tion and join our church, asked my advice about it. 
The temptation to encourage his purpose was strong. 
He was my warm personal friend, and exceptionally 
liberal with his money. In order to have a place of 
his own in our church, which he might occupy when- 
ever he worshiped with us, he had rented one of our 
best pews, and insisted upon paying twenty-five dollars 
more than the regular price, because, he said, it was 
worth it. That is the only instance of the kind I ever 
kneWj or heard of, 

I had grace to positively advise and urge that he 
should not leave the weaker church, where he was so 
much needed, but remain with it, assuring him that, 
meanwhile, I would be to him and his family, both 
personally and ofl&cially, all that I consistently could. 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 65 

So far as I knew myself, that was unselfish ; and I 
experienced a glow of satisfaction at having done, at 
least, one purely unselfish act. Some time afterwards 
he met me in the street, and asked if I had a gold 
ring? I replied that I had not, and that while I had 
no objection to any gentleman wearing a ring if he 
chose, for myself I did not desire to. He bowed liis 
head, tears came to his eyes, and he said : 

" Will you not wear my own ring, if I giv^e it to 
you as a token of confidence and love?'' 

Deeply moved, I answered that I assuredly would 
gratefully wear it ; and did so for many years. He 
had a son, whose family consisted of a wife and two 
young daughters, who were the pride and joy of his 
heart. After his death, the granddaughters asked 
their parents to take them to the Baptist Church, that 
they might see their grandfather's ring on the pastor's 
hand. Subsequently, that entire "household" were 
converted and baptized among us, and are now most 
beloved and useful members of our church. Did I 
err in believing that God had graciously recognized 
ray unselfishly refusing the grandfather, for the sake 
of one of his feeble churches, by giving to our church 
his children and grandchildren ? I am sure that 
selfishness, inside of our churches as well as outside — 
in the long run — defeats itself ; and that unselfishness 

E 



66 A FORTY-OXE YEAEs' PASTORATE. 

is the divine condition of largest and most permanent 
success. In reviewing the earlier years of this pas- 
torate, I see much action that I sincerely regret ; and 
while I find in the following incident some palliation 
of it, I do not offer it as a satisfactory excuse : 

On my way from Hamilton, to settle in Troy, I 
was met by the pastor of one of our churches, with 
whom I was not much acquainted, who said : 

" Baldwin, you are going to break your neck. That 
Troy church is old and weak, A new church has been 
formed, which has drawn off the most of the influen- 
tial membership, and about all of the young people. 
Elder Howard is their popular pastor. You are 
young and inexperienced, and will certainly fail.^' 

I could not help believing that the bottom trouble 
in the good man's mind was the poor taste the church 
had shown in not calling him, instead of one like my- 
self. Making no reply to his doleful prophecy, I set 
ray teeth, and in my central heart resolved that, by 
God's help, I would neither break my neck or fail. 
Under the pressure of this incessant apprehension, I 
was over-anxious and did many things wliich gave 
occasion for others to say: 

*^ Baldwin works exclusively for his own church.'' 

In later years, those who have known me best know 
that there have been no grounds for this charge. 



A FORTY ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 67 

A saintly minister wrote : '^ I have prayed that I 
might be kept from being selfish and proud, for all 
my value consists in sacrificing for God and his cause/' 
George Macdonald says: "All the doors that lead 
inward to the secret place of the Most High, are doors 
outward — out of self; out of smallness; out of all 
wrons:." 



IX. 



SUICIDE OF A YOUNG LAWYER. 

" Mourn for the thousands slain, 
The youthful and the strong ; 
Mourn for the wine-cup's fearful reign, 
And the deluded throng. 

" Mourn for the tarnished gem — 
For reason's light divine. 
Quenched from the soul's bright diadem, 
Where God has bid it shine. 

" Mourn for the lost — but pray, 
Pray to our God above. 
To break the fell destroyer's sway. 
And show his saving love." 

In the early part of this pastorate I baptized a 
young man — Charles Carroll Wellington — who gave 
promise of exceptional abilities, and induced him to 
go to Hamilton. He passed through college success- 



68 A FORTY-ONE YEAHS' PASTORATE. 

fully, graduated with honor at the early age of nine- 
teen ; entered a law-office in that place, and continued 
in that profession three years. Gradually the drink- 
habit grew upon him, until the appetite became 
regnant over his judgment, conscience, and will. His 
high spirit could not endure the degradation, and, 
accompanied by Deputy-sheriff Wilbur, he came 
home ; but eluding the watchfulness of his father, he 
secured strychnine, went to Chatham, on the Albany 
and Boston Railroad, and was a dead man in a few 
hours. There being no means on his person of iden- 
tification, he was buried as a stranger, in a stranger's 
grave. 

Kev. A. H. Burlinghame, D. D., who was his class- 
mate, declares him to have been the most brilliant 
student who had graduated from the University up to 
his time. Because I had been his pastor, citizens and 
students united in asking me to preach a memorial 
sermon, at Hamilton. I had assurances that it did 
good when delivered, and I print it here, in the 
hope that it may do good to young men who may 
read it. 

" Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." — Psalm 
25: 21. 

"The integrity of the upright shall guide them." — • 
Proverbs 11 : 3. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 69 

A few weeks since a young man lived in this village, 
whose life-morning had been radiant with promise. Now, 
his body lies cold and dead, buried by stranger hands in 
the stranger's lone grave. No funeral services w'ere held 
over his remains. No tears of weeping love, no glances 
of stricken friendship, fell on his pale encoffined face. 
No procession of those who had walked life's journey with 
hira, followed his body to its resting-place, in " the land of 
silence." No loved and loving ones lingered around his 
premature grave, bedewing it with tears, or planting on 
it a memento. And wherefore was this so? Was this 
young man utterly friendless ? Was he a wretched out- 
cast from society ? No, no. Around him were entwined 
the strongest affections of numerous relatives, and the 
warmest regards of " troops of friends " ; while the bril- 
liancy and versatility of his talents had won for hira the 
respect of many, in high literary and political circles. 
But alas ! he died, he had passed away from among the 
living, and was buried, before any of us even knew where 
he was, or the fact of his sad end. 

Young men of Hamilton and of Madison Univer- 
sitv, when it was announced that vou had resolved 
upon some appropriate public exercises with reference 
to the death of Mr. Wellington, indicative of your 
respect for his memory, it gladdened the hearts of his 
relatives, and met with the cordial approbation of all who 
knew him. At your request, I am here to perform the 
part assigned me in these solemnities, and I trust that 
you will believe me when I say, that I feel utterly inade- 
quate to the occasion. I am solemnly conscious, that it 



70 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

is one of peculiar delicacy and responsibility. Full well 
I know what different views different minds will take of 
what ought to be said, here to-day. But, gentlemen, the 
responsibility is mine ; and I must meet it, as my own 
conscience, my own views of duty to the dead, duty to 
the living, and duty to God, dictate. Let me, however 
say, once for all, that I have not come hither to utter 
bitter reproaches, but to shed bitter tears over the sad 
fate of Wellington, whose " sun has gone down while it 
was yet day." Nine years ago, soon after I left this 
beloved University, and settled in Troy, I became 
acquainted with him, then a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked 
boy. Not many months elapsed, before I found him 
among others an inquirer after the w-ay of salvation, 
as disclosed in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Soon, 
he professed to have found it to the joy of his soul ; and 
these hands laid him in the baptismal grave. When he 
decided to take a collegiate course, I influenced him to 
come to Hamilton. He came, went through college, and 
graduated with honor. Subsequently he lived years 
among you as a citizen ; attending to the duties of the 
legal profession, and editing with marked ability one of 
your public journals. What he was before he came to 
this place, I know better than you ; and justice to his 
memory demands that I affirm, what is strictly true, that 
a more promising youth I never saw. What he has been 
since he came here, you know better than I. His extra- 
ordinary abilities, his genial temperament, his generous 
magnanimity, his open-handed charity, his sunny sociality, 
we all admired. His frailties, his dissipation, his later 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 71 

influence, his tragic end, we all mournfully deplore. But 
now he is gone. His spirit is in eternity. His body is 
decomposing in the grave. Who dare hurl anthenias 
over that grave, dishonored though it be? Who. that has 
a heart, who that knows the weakness of human nature, 
the waywardness of its impulses, the power of its passions, 
the strength of a master appetite, the force of temptation 
upon a young man away fi'om the sheltering influences of 
home ; "who can read that touchingly beautiful letter 
written by his sainted mother, which he had with him in 
the solitude of his suicidal chamber ; who can think of 
his bereaved and afflicted father, standing alone amid the 
wreck of life's fondest hopes, of venerable grand-parents 
bowed beneath the terrible weiofht of this crushinor 
sorrow ; and feel disposed to emblazon his frailties, mag- 
nify his guilt, or blacken his memory ? Assuredly not 
your preacher. He loved him. His family loved him, 
and will cherish his memory. Assuredly you do not, 
Nay, with Irving, we all say, '• Oh, the grave, the grave! 
It buries every error, covers every defect, extinguishes 
every resentment. From its peaceful bosom spring none 
but fond regrets, and tender recollections. Who can look 
even upon the grave of an enemy, and not feel a com- 
punctious throb, that he ever should have warred with the 
poor handful of earth, that lies mouldering before him ? " 
Regarding myself now, as standing beside Welling- 
ton's grave, myself as his early pastor and bosom friend, 
"stricken, smitten, and afflicted," by his untimely death, 
I would, as from that awful position, address the vast 
crowd of living young men before me. And no words 



72 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

seem more appropriate as the basis of present thought, 
while we are paying a funeral tribute to one who fell a 
victim to dangers to which all are exposed, than the 
Scriptures I have read ; which contain a prayer, " Let 
integrity and uprightness preserve me," and an answer, 
" The integrity of the upright shall guide them." 

These words were the utterances of men who saw the 
moral dangers which, in this depraved world, surround 
our depraved humanity ; of men who understood the 
nature of the moral government of God, and therefore 
did not expect preservation from the naked power of 
Omnipotence, but through the possession and exercise of 
that moral quality, to which God has imparted preserva- 
tive power. With this prayer and answer before us, I 
ask your attention to the discussion of the following doc- 
trinal proposition : 

Personal Religious Integrity is the Preservative Element 
of Human Character. 

And may the Holy Spirit aid us, while we consider — 

First, TJie import of Integrity in this proposition, and 

Secondly, wherein consists its Preservative Power. 

Integrity is defined by Webster, to be primarily, " en- 
tireness, an unbroken state of anything " ; and, secondly, 
as applied to mind, " soundness, purity, uncorruptness." 
Without attempting any metaphysical analysis, but em- 
ploying this term in a general religious sense, I shall 
simply endeavor to illustrate and describe the character 
in which it is developed. 

Geologists tell us that, in some parts of our globe, they 
have ascertained the strata of our earth to the depth of 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 73 

ten miles, and that they find five different layers. The 
upper one they call alluvium ; the next is a compound of 
sand and gravel ; the third consists of broken rock ; the 
fourth of stratified rock ; the fifth and lowest, of unstrat- 
ified, solid, crystalline rock. They tell us, that these 
diiferent strata go. to make up to that depth the firm, 
solid, productive earth. Something like this, young men, 
is a character impregnated with religious integrity. Its 
primary basis is a belief in a personal God ; a Deity, 
who has not merely created and garnished the universe, 
but who, possessing every possible perfection in an in- 
finite degree, is also Governor and Law-giver ; to whom 
every intelligent being is personally responsible for his 
affections and conduct. This is the primary, crystalline, 
moral rock, upon which this character is based. 

The next stratum is a cordial reception of the Bible as 
God's revelation to man; a revelation exhibiting the un- 
varvinor standard of rio^ht, the unvieldino^ law of dutv. 
No man is ever better than the standard of moral con- 
duct which he adopts ; and as it varies so the character 
varies. One makes public opinion his standard ; be it 
what it may, as it exists in New Orleans or New Eng- 
land. Another makes his own conscience that standard ; 
forgetting that, while the faculty of conscience is a part 
of our moral constitution, still, man's conscience is just 
what it is educated to be ; and that therefore, its de- 
cisions are right or wrong, according to its education. 
While with manv, conscience is but another name for 
self-will and self-interest. But the possessor of the in- 
tegrity which I shall describe, and for which I shall 



74 A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 

plead, receives the eternal law of a holy God, as the in- 
structor of his conscience. He finds in God's Book for 
man a full guide to all duty, ample warning against all 
wrong, an immutable basis of moral feeling and conduct, 
amid the fluctuations of public opinion and self-interest. 
He finds it to be an unfailing lamp for his feet, an 
ever-reliable guide, while treading the darkest path of 
human life. 

The third stratum of this character is, a conscious need 
of aid from God, to conform to this lofty standard. True 
integrity is not proud, nor self-confident, nor self-compla- 
cent; nay, it is humble, and self-distrustful. Its possessor 
is neither ashamed nor afraid, amid the weakness of 
fallen humanity, to implore aid of the great Father, 
through his glorious Son, man's adorable Saviour. With 
reference to this, Lamartine, the poet-statesman of France, 
said : '' Prayer was never invented ; it was born with the 
first sigh, the first joy, the first sorrow of the human 
heart ; or, rather, man was made to pray, and thus 
glorify God." Such an one believes with all his soul the 
promise, " Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will 
deliver thee." 

Then, the next stratum is unwavering adherence to truth. 
To a young man who possesses this character, nothing in 
all the world is meaner than a lie ; no being more con- 
temptible than the deliberate liar. He loves truth for its 
own sake. He would not deviate from it, in his dealings 
"with his fellow men, to make a million dollars ; or reach 
the highest political position ever occupied by a mortal. 
He understands that the God with whom he " has to do," 



A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 75 

is a " God of truth," and that he " desires truth in the in- 
ward parts." He desires that it be enthroned within us, 
and sway us in all our relations both to himself and man, 
to time and eternity. And the possessor of religious, ex- 
perimental integrity, cordially yields to these divine requi- 
sitions, which make his life radiant with all the light and 
purity of exemplified truth. 

And the last, the upper stratum of this character, is an 
unflinching determination toward rectitude. This leads a 
man to a right doing ; not merely because he will, as a 
consequence, be more respected ; not merely because in 
the end it certainly will promote his interests ; not merely 
because his conscience, enlightened by the Bible, always 
approbates it; but mainly because it is right. No meed 
of praise, no temporary success, no popularity, " that wild 
wreath of air, that flake of rainbow," can seduce him to 
abandon the straight, though sometimes rough and stormy 
path of rectitude. Amid such temptations he will stand, 

" Like a Druid Rock, 
Or like a spire of land, that stands apart 
Cleft from the main, and firmly rooted 
Moves not from its place." 

Thus, young men, you have before you a brief view of 
relio-ious integ^ritv as realized in human character. Think 
once more of my illustration. Think of the five different 
strata that make up, to the depth of ten miles, this globe. 
Think of the solid crystalline, primary rock; of the inter- 
vening strata; and then of the upper, rich alluvium, out 
of which spring all the flowers that perfume the air, all 
the fruits that feed man and beast, as well as the grand 



76 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

old forests that wave before the blast. And thus behold 
illustrated this character, with its primary basis in a firm 
belief in personal accountability to a personal God ; with 
its cordial reception of the Bible, as its controlling stand- 
ard of moral feeling and conduct; with its trusting de- 
pendence on the aid of God, through an interceding Re- 
deemer; with its unwavering attachment to truth; and 
lastly, with its unflinching determination toward rectitude, 
which is the moral alluvium out of which spring all 
truly noble deeds, heroic sacrifices, generous charities ; and 
in a word, all those pure influences which beautify and 
bless the world. 

"Oh, no balm 
New bleeding from the wounded tree, 
Nor blest Arabia with its spicy groves 
Such fragrance yields." 

Let us now consider the remaining general division of 
our subject, viz : Wherein consists the preservative power oj 
this element f I answer : 

1. It gives its possessor control over the passions of the 
soul. 

The passions uncontrolled are fearful elements of mis- 
chief They rage where they reign; and oftentimes in- 
volve men in temporal and eternal ruin. They excite to 
deeds, at which men in their cool moments shudder with 
horror. They blind the judgment, devastate the heart, 
stifle the conscience, control the will, and bear away on 
the fiery tide the noblest purposes and the fondest hopes. 
A few rods from my residence is located our County Jail. 
Not long since, I sat in one of its gloomy cells with a 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 77 

young man condemned for murder. While conversing 
he lifted up his right hand, white and soft from long con- 
finement, and said, "Ah! that hand, that hand has 
brought me into great trouble." Poor youth ! he vfus mis- 
taken. His hand was not guilty. It was a mere instru- 
ment. Nay, it was infuriated passion that drove the fatal 
knife into the body of his doomed victim. Jealousy, 
envy, and revenge, anger and uncurbed ambition, have 
scourged the world. No man is safe in whose breast 
these have the mastery. At any moment he is in danger 
of doing what will ruin him forever; and what rivers of 
tears, what the lamentations of broken-hearted friends, 
'what the w^ealth of worlds, cannot undo. Thus saith the 
Bible, " He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a 
city that is broken down, without walls." "What a picture 
of desolation ! — "a city broken down, without walls," into 
which wild men and wilder beasts may make predatory 
incursions with impunity ! 

But religious integrity, controlling the soul's powers 
and giving the dominion to Bible-illuminated moral facul- 
ties, ensures the essential preservative against this danger. 
It gives a man control over the world within him. It 
gives him the power to hold passion with a firm and 
guiding rein. Again, the Bible says, " He that is slow to 
anger is better than the mighty ; and he that ruleth his 
own spirit than he that taketh a city." Judged by this 
divine standard, the young man of integrity ruling his own 
spirit and directing it into paths of virtue and honor, is 
greater than the warrior, who wades to victory through 
seas of human blood, the glory-wreath around whose 



78 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

brow is tied together by the heart-strings of widows and 
orphans, himself the captive of enslaving lust. Well 
therefore has it been sung : 

" Crown his brow with laurel wreath, 
Who can tread the fields of death ; 
Tread, with armed legions near. 
And know not what it is to fear. 
But, greater far his meed of praise, 
Juster his claim to glory's page, 
Who true to integrity's pure call, 
Conquers himself, the noblest deed of all." 

2. It gives control also over the bodily appetites. 

Out of these arises immense danger to the young. They 
are naturally strong, and from early youth are influenced 
by the dietetic habits of the age. They gather terrible 
power by indulgence. Improper eating and drinking, 
and general physical dissipation, are most prolific sources 
of crime and misery. Especially and fearfully is this 
true at the present time, in regard to drinking. The 
habit of partaking of alcoholic drinks as a beverage is 
making fearful havoc among the young men of my own 
city, and indeed, almost everyAvhere. We have lived to 
see — what we once fondly hoped never again would be 
seen in our land — a revival of the rum-trafiic. And, as 
a natural consequence, intemperance, with its brooding 
train of dismal horrors, its ruined reputations, its broken- 
down constitutions, its impoverished families, its damning 
blight of all that is noble in manhood — is again felt and 
mourned in country and city. Had I the mental power 
of a Clay, the imagination of a Choate, and the elo- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 79 

quence of a Webster, I could not depict in adequate 
colors the woeful miseries which this traflSc, generating, 
as it does, an artificial appetite, and then feeding it, is 
producing. Oh ! I ask, not in anger, but in heart-sorrow. 
How can men engage in it f Men who know its inevitable 
results; men who themselves have little children soon to 
be exposed to its evils; men who have human sympathies 
and human souls, bound to the bar of a holy God ; men 
who know they must soon die, and stand amid the flash- 
ing terrors of the Judgment? For myself, with the light 
I have; with the crime, misery, and death I know it 
causes, before I could sell alcoholic drinks as a bever- 
age to my fellow-men, especially to young men — dear young 
men, around whom I know are entwined the holiest 
affections, and dearest hopes of fathers and mothers, 
the hopes of society, and of my country — before I 
could do this for paltry pelf , qvqyj glorious impulse, every 
tender affection, every noble sentiment, must die within 
me ; this gushing heart must freeze up its warm tide ; 
surrender its immortal expectations ; and from being a 
man, with an ear to hear every sigh of hnmanity, an eye 
to weep with every sorrow, a heart to feel for every woe, 
and an open hand to help the need of my fellow-man, I 
must now become petrified into a selfish, money-getting 
thing. Nay, nay, let me drink the deepest dregs of direst 
poverty; let my life's most cherished hopes wither; let 
my children fade around me like flowers nipt by untimely 
frost ; let the wife of my youth perish by my side ; let 
me myself be cut off in the midst of my days ; let my 
name be forgotten — rather than I should make a business 



80 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

of pandering to an appetite which is filling thirty thou- 
sand graves in my native soil with the blasted bodies of 
thirty thousand of my fellow-citizens every year. And 
moreover I feel, believe, and say, that if I would thus 
sell poison ; influence and nourish appetites which I knew 
full well would ruin those who pay me for so doing ; if, 
regardless of the moans of broken-hearted wives, and the 
cries of children worse than orphans ; the prayers of 
parents not to give their children " liquid damnation ; " 
the entreaties, in their sober moments, of the victims of 
their appetites themselves ; if, in contempt of the en- 
treaties of the best portion of society to abandon my 
traffic, the thunderings of Almighty God against it, and 
the moral suasion of the best minds in the community, I 
would persist — then before God I affirm that society 
would be recreant to its high trust, if it did not make me 
feel the strong, stern, iron hand of law. With those 
views, I could somewhat sympathize with Mr. Edmonds, 
the gentlemanly keeper of the Tombs, in New York, who 
said to me, while on a late visit to that dismal prison, 
where two men were then under sentence of death for 
murdering their wives while intoxicated: 

" Sir, such criminal efiects do I see daily produced by 
the traffic in ardent spirits, that for one, if on the only 
condition that I could obtain a law prohibiting it I must 
vote for the repeal of all other laws against crime, I 
would do it in a moment." 

Than this appetite, thus engendered, nothing can be 
more fearful. It grows with every indulgence, until 
finally it overcomes all power of resistance. Then, oh ! 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS^ PASTORATE. 81 

then, as my poor, poor fallen brother said, hundreds have 
said before him : " I cannot reform ; it is useless to try." 
Then they may shed bitter tears while they think of 
blasted prospects, of home and dear ones there ; they 
may shudder as they see engulfing ruin rolling up its 
dismal billows before them ; but, though they behold the 
death-breakers ahead, they feel that they must, like rud- 
derless ships, dash on. 

But, personal religious integrity will enable a young 
man to keep every bodily appetite in subjection. It 
echoes within his soul the voice of God : " Know ye not 
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost ? " It 
will open his eyes to the fact, that he cannot with impu- 
nity dally with temptation. It will enable him to see, 
beneath the sparkling crest of even the wine-cup, the 
snake that lies there coiled. It will make him feel that 
" touch not, taste not, handle not," is the only safe rule 
with reference to it. Thus it will save him from the 
reeking corruptions of disgusting sensualism. Thus, it 
will save him from premature old age. Thus, it w^ill 
secure him a sound mind in a sound body, girded with 
manly energy; a bright and sparkling eye, blooming 
cheek, and a robust constitution. 

3. The possession of this element of character wn'll 
lead young men into those circles of society, where tempt- 
ations are fewest and weakest. 

In every community there are different circles, from 
the highest down to the lowest. And young men are 
attracted to just that circle for which they have the 
strongest affinity. If they are dissipated, you will find 

F 



82 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

them among the dissipated ; if pure, among the pure. 
Hence a wise old man once said : " Tell me what com- 
pany a young man keeps, and I will tell you what his 
character is." And the ultimate fate of young men is, 
to a great extent, determined by the character of their 
companionship. Hundreds go to our colleges, go be- 
dewed with the prayers of pious parents, go as pure as 
the breezes that play around their native hills, and at 
first, mingle with the virtuous, bnt eventually are led into 
associations, during social hours, with drinking, licen- 
tious, profane, and gambling youths, become contami- 
nated, and after their graduation, return to their homes, 
debauchees. This is the reason why parents feel such 
profound solicitude to have their children go for educa- 
tional purposes Avhere the moral atmosphere is purest. 
It has been our pride and boasting that Hamilton was 
such a place. In our advocacy of its claims, we have 
dwelt upon its seclusion from the great thoroughfares of 
wickedness, as a reason for believing that temptations 
were weaker and fewer here. And we believe so still. 
But it must not, on this occasion, be concealed or denied, 
that to some wounded spirits at least, the very name of 
Hamilton brings bitter sorrow. For here a darling son, 
a most kindly cherished relative, a beloved friend, dear 
to them as the life-blood of their hearts, has fallen. 
Terrible responsibility rests somewhere. And it may be 
a question, which if honorably answered, will humble 
even the friends of sobriety, and awaken charity toward 
the dead : Did you do all your duty to the departed, while 
he was yet with youf 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 83 

But to return from this digression, let me say, that he 
who possesses this integrity will spontaneously seek com- 
panions among the good. He will shun a corrupt asso- 
ciate as he would a walking pestilence. He will find no 
pleasure, but the deepest disgust and pain, in low revel- 
inor and midni^rht brawls. He will be found on those 
moral eminences of society — nearest to heaven — where 
low and deofrudino- vice cannot live, nor even show its 
snaky head. Tell dying fathers, and dying mothers, that 
their sons are moving in such circles, and they will smile on 
you in death, and thank God with their last expiring breath. 

4. Religious integrity imparts great moral courage. 
Many of the young are ruined, because they have not the 
boldness to obey the dictates of conscience, and say 
"No," to the tempter. They are invited to gamble, to 
drink intoxicating liquors, to desecrate the Lord's Day, 
to go where they know they ought not to go. They are 
urged, entreated, their scruples are laughed at. They do 
not WMsh to be thought singular, or lacking in manli- 
ness. They yield ; they dare not act up to their own 
convictions of duty. Alas ! they foolishly fear the deri- 
sive laugh, the contemptuous sneer, more than to do wrong. 
They yield one point, then another, and another, until in 
turn, they become tempters themselves. Ah ! this lack 
of firmness, of fidelity to home influences, and to con- 
science ; this lack of true moral heroism, is the rock on 
which thousands split. Thus, they are led away from 
the influence of parents, the instructions of Sunday- 
schools, away from the altars of God, away to the haunts 
of vice and dissipation. 



84 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

But soul-integrity gives invincible courage. It arms 
its possessor with the dignity and power of the loftiest 
heroism. It enables him to look the tempter in the face, 
and tell him " nay," with all the firmness and moral sub- 
limity of Christian manhood. It nerves him to do any- 
thing he ought ; and to refrain from doing anything he 
ought not. It covers him with an armor more impervious 
than steel. 

Take away from him the restraining influences of good 
society, place him where vicious temptations beset him in 
every form, and with one arm around the cross of the 
blessed Saviour, and the other around his Bible, and 
prayer on his lips — he will stand, — stand as does the ven- 
erable rock in mid ocean, over which tempests howl, 
around which billows roar, against which wild waves 
dash, only to be hurled back in spray upon themselves. 
Oh, this religious integrity, seated within, goes where he 
goes, stays where he stays, and sheds around him perpetu- 
ally the prestige of moral power. Truthfully therefore 
sang a bard of the olden time : 

" Integrity undaunted goes, 
Through Lybian sands and Scythian snows, 
Or where Hydaspes wealthy side 
Pays tribute to the Persian pride." 

And lastly, this element possesses this power, not merely 
because of its own inherent virtue and influence, but 
because to it is promised the aid of an ever present God. 

To those who by his grace possess it, his word saith, 
*' God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted, 
above that ve are able." To such Jehovah hath 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 85 

promised, and how precious is it to a young man going 
out into the danger-thronged world, " I will never leave 
thee, nor forsake thee." These and similar promises have 
been kept, by our promise-fulfilling Father. Joseph had 
this religious integrity. When far away from home, the 
hour of fierce temptation came ; but he exclaimed, " How 
then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? " 
His integrity triumphed. Instead of his falling before 
temptation, it fell before him. And though he was cast 
into prison, God, whom he loved and feared, was 'v\ith 
him there, and in his own good time brought him out, and 
placed him on a throne. Daniel was a young man of 
integrity. For the Scripture record says that, while but 
a youth, he was carried away captive to Babylon ; and as 
he trod for the first time the splendid streets of that cor- 
rupt city, he formed this sublime resolution : " He 
purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." 
Though in pursuing the path of pure rectitude he was 
led into a den of lions, God was with him there, and 
brought him forth from that place of horror and disgrace, 
and seated him among the highest dignitaries of earth. 
Oh, young men of integrity may, without presumption, 
trust in God. He regards them with the favor that he 
bears toward his chosen ones. He will be their shield, 
their buckler, their refuge, their strong tower, their 
defence. To them he says in accents of paternal love, 
"Cast thy burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain thee." 
He will see that no weapon formed against them shall 
prosper; no hellish machination succeed. His own faith- 
fulness, which is " the girdle of his loins," his own integ- 



86 A FORTY-O^'E YEARS' PASTORATE. 

ritj before his moral universe, is pledged to " bring them 
off conquerors, yea, more than conquerors, through him 
that hath loved them." Such an one may say with 
humble joy, as David did after severe trial, " Thou 
upholdest me in my integrity." He is not ashamed nor 
afraid to uncover his heart before the Most High, and say 
as an old saint said, " Judge me, O Lord, according to 
mine integrity that is in me." While with Job, he may 
be afflicted, dealt with mysteriously by the providence of 
God, and tempted to evil, wnth the noble Patriarch of 
Uz, he will firmly say : " I will not remove my integrity 
from me." 

Finally, let me add, that this subject commends itself 
to the judgment of every man, and especially to you 
young men. Aud the great practical question is — Do we 
possess this preservative element in our character f 

The dangers that environ us are manv and alarmino;. 
Intemperance is not the only one ; nay, their name is 
"leo^ion." "Is the vouno^ man Absalom safe?" is a 
question that trembles in the heart of many a modern 
David, with reference to his beloved son. Many escape 
certain dangers, aud then feel safe. Thus Charles C. 
Wellino-ton did. When he took his stand amonof the 
people of God, when with honest joy and pride I gave 
him the right hand of church fellowship as one of the 
earliest fruits of my young ministry, I fondly hoped that 
he had escaped the chief perils of life. But alas ! alas ! 
results have shown that far greater dangers awaited him. 

In the fourth volume of the history of " The United 
States Exploring Expedition " is found a wonderful illus- 



A FORTY-OKE YEARS' PASTORATE. 87 

tration of this truth. We are there told that, in the 
Columbia River, which empties into the Pacific on the 
western side of our continent, there is a place where the 
waters are compressed into a narrow channel, and their 
"whole volume falls many feet down descending rocks. 
This passage is very dangerous, but is often made with 
safety in a small boat. Below this fall, however, is a far 
greater danger. Then the water seems comparatively 
smooth and indicates no treachery in its flow. But, the 
explorers say, that the boat which has safely passed the 
preceding danger, and whose occupants may be rejoicing 
in their escape, when it reaches a certain point, gradually 
stops. Then moving neither forward, nor backward, nor 
toward either shore, it begins to move in a circular course. 
Swifter and swifter it thus revolves until no effort from 
within can take it out of that unnoticed, but dreadful 
current. Round and round, round and round it whirls, 
until having reached a fiital centre, in a moment it shoots 
downward ; and they tell us, that rarely afterwards is 
even a fragment of the fated boat to be discovered. 

Thus it often proves in human life. After beloved ones 
liave passed through one class of perils, and have reached 
a position where we fondly hope they are safe ; tempta- 
tions in new forms, arising out of new circumstances, 
assail them; and alas ' too often they are ruined. But 
against them all, against both early and later dangers, 
our subject presents the heaven-prepared element of pro- 
tection. Nothing else can preserve us. Brilliancy of 
intellect, wealth of mental acquisition cannot. Nay, it is a 
mournful fact, that some of the most splendid minds God 



88 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

ever made; minds whose "wonderful endowments have 
made men stand in awe of them, have fallen the deepest ; 
and their fall has been only the more terrible in conse- 
quence of their previous intellectual elevation. Position 
in society cannot. The tenderest love, the profoundest 
respect, the truest friendship, cannot. A profession of 
religion cannot. But thus saith God, "TAe integrity of 
the upright shall guide them." 

Then, young man, brother, seek this personal, religious, 
this heart integrity. By divine grace, through our Lord 
Jesus Christ the compassionate Saviour, who is " touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities," thou mayest possess it. 
And " as the Lord liveth," it shall be better to thee than 
the merchandise of silver, or the gain thereof, than of fine 
gold. It will give to thy head an ornament of grace, and 
a crown of glory. It shall be life to thy soul. By it 
thou shalt walk in safety, and thy foot shall not stumble. 
By it, when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid ; yea, 
thou shalt lie doAvn and thy sleep shall be sweet. For 
the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot 
from being taken. 

O young men, brothers, listen to the pleadings of a 
fraternal heart. Be men of integrity, and it shall be 
capital to you in your poverty, safety in your peril, solace 
in your sorrow, light in your darkness, a guide in your 
inexperience, and a comfort in your old age. 

Young men, brothers, be men of Christian integrity, 
and ye shall be the crown of rejoicing to venerable 
parents ; on your heads shall be showered the benedic- 
tions of the virtuous, the confidence and rewards of a 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS PASTORATE. 89 

grateful country, and, above all, the priceless approbation 
of God. Be men of integrity, and ye shall come down to 
your graves, " in a good old age, like shocks of corn ' fully 
ripe unto the harvest ; ' " and while your bodies are 
calmly reposing in honored sepulchres, over which shall 
bloom sweet flowers planted by the hands of weeping 
memory, your souls shall be encircled with all the inefik- 
ble glories of the Christian's heaven. 

O young men, brothers all, to this attainment I hear 
voices from earth, and voices from heaven ; voices in all 
the winds, and song-like voices from careering angels; 
voices from all the past, the present, and the future, — and 
alas ! at this moment I hear a voice, clear as a trumpet- 
tone, authoritative as a thundering of Sinai, and mourn- 
ful as a funeral wail, coming up out of the distant and 
premature grave of brilliant, beloved, lamented Welling- 
ton, all urging you. Shall they urge in vain? God 
Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost forbid it. Amen. 



MES. WTELLINGTON'S LETTER TO HER SON. 



The following beautiful letter, written by Mrs. 
Wellington on her death-bed, was found on the 
person of the deceased at Chatham Four Corners : 

My Dear Boy : — Feeling sensible that I must soon 
leave you, I wish to say a few words, to which I entreat 
your attention as the last words, the last wishes, of your 
dying mother — a mother who would be glad to live and 
sufier for your sake, if it was the will of God that she 



90 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

should. In the first place, my dear Charles, love and 
serve God ; make a friend of him, and he will be better 
to you than all earthly friends. Never forget to pray to 
him. Remember that from the time that you was a little 
one, and could scarcely speak, you have knelt beside your 
mother, and offered up your prayers to him. You have 
also read his holy word with her. Do not forsake this 
practice now she is gone ; never omit it for a single night 
or morning. Think that your poor, dead mother is look- 
ing pleased at you if you do this, and looking grieved if 
you neglect it. Above all, think how displeasing it is to 
our Heavenly Father to be neglected by us, his creatures. 
He has made and protected us every hour and moment 
of our lives. But remember, my dear child, that just to 
kneel before God and say your prayers is not praying. 
You must feel what you say. You must remember that 
God is looking into your heart — remember that he loves 
children that try to do good, and that he will help them 
to be so if they ask him. Therefore, every night en- 
deavor to think of what you have done, or said, or thought 
wrong, and beg him, for the sake of your dear Saviour, 
to forgive you and help you to do better for the future. 
Every morning thank him for taking care of you during 
the night ; thank him for all your blessings; beg him to 
keep you from sinning against him during the day, 
and then all day long endeavor to remember that his 
eye is upon you, and that he will be grieved if you 
do w'rong — that he wants to save you and make you 
happy. 

If bad boys tempt you to do wrong, remember that his 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 91 

word has said : " My son, if sinners entice thee, consent 
thou not." Next to God, love and obey your father, my 
dear boy ; he has been a good father to you, and has 
always been good to your mother. Strive to be a com- 
fort to him. Do evervthino^ to oblic]:e him that vou can. 
Remember that it is well pleasing to your Father in 
heaven for you to honor and love your earthly parents. 
Be obliging to all. Endeavor to make every one love you. 
Obey your teacher. Try to improve in your studies, that 
you may grow up to be an intelligent, useful man. Be 
good to dumb animals. Do not tyrannize over any living 
thing. Try to deny yourself — that is, my dear Charles, 
try to oblige others, even if it puts you to inconvenience 
on your own account, When you think of the poor 
heathen children that know not God, and think how 
much better you are off, strive to save something for 
them. When you are tempted to spend your money for 
what you do not need, determine not to spend it, but save 
it to do good with. This is self-denial. When you are 
tempted to do a wrong action and do not do it, this is 
resisting temptation — this is well-pleasing to God, who 
will always help you to resist it if you ask him. I hope 
you will be useful, and I hope you will live for a good 
purpose. 

I shall write much more if I am able. I want to 
write what may profit you as you grow older ; but if I 
can write no more, try to profit by what I have written ; 
for in childhood or old age it cannot hurt, and with the 
blessing of God it may do good. Therefore, my dear 
child, if my life is not spared to finish this, receive it as 



92 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

it is — receive it as the last farewell, the last blessing, of 
your dying mother, 

C. WELLINGTON. 

May God bless and protect my motherless boy, and 
enable him to become a true Christian. 



X. 

MINISTKY TO MURDERERS. 

Twice I have been the spiritual adviser of men 
Avho were hung for murder. The first was a young 
man of good social position and connections who, 
having become enamored of another woman, killed 
his beautiful young wife by repeated doses of arsenic, 
administered while she was sick. The people of her 
place where the cold-blooded murder was committed, 
were so righteously indignant, that they placed on her 
tombstone the following inscription : ^' Mary A. W. 
Green, died February 14, 1845, in the twenty-third 
vear of her asre. This monument is erected bv the 
citizens of Berlin in memory of Mary Ann Wyatt, 
wife of Henry G. Green, who was married February 
9, 1845, and on the fourteenth day of the same 
month was poisoned by her husband without any real 
or pretended cause. Beautiful, intelligent, and vir- 
tuous, she was wept over by the community; and the 



A FORTY- ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 93 

violated law justly exacted the life of her murderer as 
a peualty for his crime." 

After his execution I preached a sermon, of which 
Prof. A. C. Kendrick, D. D., who was visiting my 
family at the time, published the following report in 
" The Trov Times " : 

A sermon was preached yesterday by the Rev. Mr. 
Baldwin, on the occasion of the late tragedy. The attend- 
ance showed the intense interest felt in the subject by the 
community. At an early hour the house was crowded in 
every part — galleries, aisles, windows, the pulpit stairs — 
every corner and nook was absolutely crammed, and hun- 
dreds of respectable citizens of all denominations were 
obliged to leave, being unable, not only to obtain seats, 
but even to get within the door. Although not fond of 
the practice of commenting on the pulpit performances 
of our clergymen, yet I cannot forbear giving the subject, 
and an outline of the discourse, which struck me as being 
singularly appropriate and beautiful. The text was, 
"Why wilt thou die before thy time ? " The propositions 
which were regarded as involved in it, were : 

1. That it is appointed to all men to die. 

2. That there is an appropriately natural time to die. 

3. That men may die before their time. 

4. That men often bring upon themselves premature 
death by their own agency. Why wilt thou, etc. ? 

This they do — 1st. By indulging in vices which shorten 
life by the natural action of the physical laws, as intem- 
perance, licentiousness, etc. 2d. By crimes which bring 



94 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

down upon them the sudden retributive judgments of 
Providence, and finally, as in the present case, by acts 
which subject them to the penalties of human law. In 
conclusion, he dwelt on the present case, and enforced 
cogently its solemn lessons of instruction. 

The second was also a vounoc man. He had com- 
mitted a murder before, of which be never had been 
suspected. On a lonely mountain in our county he 
had killed a boy, simply to get possession of a silver 
watch. After his conviction for the second murder, 
he confessed the first to me, told where he had buried 
the body, and the boy's friends found the remains. 
That hour was one of the most awful I ever experi- 
enced. The day was dark. The cell was intensely 
gloomy. When he told the horrid tale, his strong 
frame was convulsed with emotion, and he wept bit- 
terly and long, insomuch that, as he leaned over and 
buried his face in his hands, his tears literallv wet the 
floor beneath, and he wailed forth these words: 

" How could I have been such a devil as to do that 
dreadful deed — murder an innocent, helpless boy, 
merely to get a silver watch ! '' 

His second murder was a double one — that of an 
old man and his wife, both of whom had money, 
which he resolved to o;et. So shrewdly had he man- 
aged that the prosecution could not, on his trial, prove 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTOR A.TE. 95 

him to have been in onr county when the murder was 
committed. Circumstances, however, w^ere decisive. 
There was a chain of old-fashioned gold beads around 
the woman's neck, which he resolved to secure. But 
when he pulled it off the string broke, and some of 
them fell upon the floor. He tried to secure them 
all, but did not. He took what he had to New York. 
On his way thither, twice it occurred to him that it 
might be dangerous to keep them — twice he went to 
the bow of the boat, and held them in his uplifted 
hand to throw them into the river ; but the thouscht 
came to him that they were valuable, and it would 
be a foolish thing to throw them away. He kept 
them, and exchanged them for a violin. Suspected 
simply because he was spending money freely, he was 
tracked to New York, the beads found — and those 
beads hung him. 

One day, after his conviction, he proposed to reveal 
something to me, on condition that I would sacredly 
promise to keep it secret until after his execution. 
Supposing it to refer to a confession, I gave the prom- 
ise; but was horrified when he told me that it was his 
settled purpose to attempt an escape that night, and 
also to kill any one who should stand in the way of 
his success; and that his object in telling me was to 
ask if killing under such circumstances would not be 



96 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

comparatively justifiable. Of course, I did all I 
could to dissuade him ; but without effect. Night 
came. I was in great distress. I felt bound by my 
promise, and trembled in view of the results. At"* 
midnight the jail alarm bell rang. An hour after my 
own door-bell rang, and my relief was great when the 
sheriff, who rang it, told me that he had come to ask 
ray assistance in pacifying the prisoner. At the jail I 
found the corridor filled with ofi&cers. The door of 
the prisoner's cell was open, and a bright light was 
burning within it. He was a powerful young man, 
dressed in nothing except pants and shirt, the sleeves 
of which were rolled up to his siioulders, fully reveal- 
ing his muscular arms ; and when I came he was 
pacing up and down before the door, with eyes glar- 
ing^ like those of an infuriated wild beast, his fists 
clenched, and swearing that he would kill any one 
who dared to cross the threshold of his cell. The 
moment he saw me his rage became intensified, and he 
charged me with having betrayed him. Appealing to 
the sheriff to state, whether by look or w^ord or act, 
I had done so — and he affirming that I had not — I 
saw my opportunity; and keeping my eyes fixed on 
his, I walked slowly toward him, saying : 

"Andreas, you will not strike me. I am your 
friend, and will be true to you until the end.'' 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 97 

I then laid my hand on his shoulder, and immedi- 
ately his head bowed, his hands unclenched, his rage 
departed, and he subaiitted unresistingly to be ironed 
to the floor. It was also an indescribable scene when 
one day, in compliance with his request, I took my 
little boy, Charley, to visit him. The moment he saw 
him the prisoner's body trembled with emotion, and 
he wept as only a strong man can weep, and cried : 

" O God ! once I was, like him, an innocent child, 
and now I am a guilty, condemned wretch V 

At his execution, after everything was in readiness, 
and the awful moment came, the rope was around his 
neck, he turned to me and piteously said : 

*^ Won't you sing 'Rock of Ages' once more for 
me?'' 

The sheriff nodded assent, and I sang as best I could, 
every verse of that grand old hymn. Spectators said 
I was pale as I shall be when I am dead ; but God 
helped me to comply with the request of my guilty 
brother, who, from long intimacy, I had gotten to 
love. It is a fact that Prince Albert made the same 
request on his death-bed. He said ; 

" I have fame, rank, and wealth, and if these were 
all, how miserable I should now be. Sing for me 

" Kock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee." 
G 



98 A FOJRTY-ONE YEAKS' PASTOEATE. 

I believed that the guilty man, who suffered the 
righteous penalty of civil law, found refuge in the 
mercy of God through Jesus Christ; but I did not' 
^ think it well to give publicity to the fact. True, our 
Holy Bible says, "No murderer hath eternal life'^; 
but it also savs, " He that hateth his brother is a 
murderer." Surely, these must refer to impenitent 
murderers ! Cannot the blood of Jesus Christ "cleanse 
from all sin? " Does not the Father say, " Come now, 
and let us reason together ; though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow : though they 
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool " ? In the 
course of justice, none of us should see salvation. We 
all do pray for mercy. 

" There is wideness in God's mercy, 
Like the wideness of the sea ; 
There is a kindness in his justice, 
Which is more than libertj. 

"For the love of God is broader 
Than the measure of man's mind, 
And the heart of the Eternal 
Is most wonderfully kind. 

"But we make his love too narrow, 
By the limits of our own ; 
And we magnify his strictness 
With a zeal he will not own." 

Fabeb, 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 99 

XI. 
A DISCOMFITED SKEPTIC. 

"Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." (Matt. 22 : 29.) 

During a journey that I made, some years ago, 
South, on board of a steamboat on the Alabama 
River, the following occurred. Among our passen- 
gers, there was a commercial traveler from New York. 
He was smart, fluent, conceited, and a skeptic, glory- 
ing in his skepticism. It was his delight to gather 
persons around him, and ventilate his unbelief; and he 
was specially bitter in his denunciations of the Bible. 
He declared, among other charges, that it contained 
statements which science had demonstrated to be sheer 
impossibilities. It was very hard to quietly listen to 
his harangues, but, being weak and nervous, I felt 
that I must keep silent. At length I could endure it 
no longer, and resolved that the word of God should 
not be dishonored in my presence by a flippant drum- 
mer. Acting under this impulse, I said : 

"Young man, I am a Baptist minister from Troy, 
New York, a thorough believer in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and now I challenge you to select one passage 
in them, which to your mind seems most to contradict 
scientific discoveries ; select only one, because I am a 
sick man and inadequate to a prolonged discussion. 



100 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

and one is enough for the purposes of test ; and if I 
do not demonstrate that you are entirely ignorant of 
its true meaning, I will publicly apologize to you 
before all these gentlemen." I was bold outwardly, 
but trembled inwardly, lest he might select some 
passage in regard to which I might not be fully pre- 
pared. To my great relief he selected the very one 
on which I had lately preached a sermon, which was 
repeated by request. It was the record in Joshua, 
concernino; the standino; still of the sun and moon. 
He gave the literal interpretation, and told what 
scientists say of its absurdities. Feeling now sure of 
my position, I became very oracular, and proceeded 
on this wise : 

"Sir, do you know that Joshua pauses, in the centre 
of that record, to explain that it is a quotation ? Of 
course, you don^t know it ; but such is the fact. He 
says : ^ Is this not written in the Book of Jasher ? ' 
We know that that Book was a collection of Hebrew 
war songs, making no pretensions to inspiration. Sir, 
do you know, that the proof of its being a poetic 
quotation is found in the fact, that in the original 
Hebrew it is given in poetic idiom? Of course, you 
don't ; but such is the fact. Sir, do you know, that a 
study of their circumstances shows that the Hebrews 
at that time were in no urgent need of divine help ? 



A FORTY-ONE YEAJIS' PASTORATE. 101 

Of course, you don't; but such also is the fact. Sir, 
do you know that their writers were accustomed to 
frequently rehearse all the special interpositions of 
God in their behalf? And that they never, never 
referred to this transaction ? The fact is that there is 
no reference to it, in the entire Bible, except one indi- 
rect reference in one prophetic book. Sir, do you 
know that all recorded divine interpositions were 
responsive to special faith ; and that in the record of 
those eminent for faith, found in the eleventh chapter 
of Hebrews, the name of Joshua is not mentioned ? 
Such again, is the fact. The truth is that you, sir, 
and those like you, have been making yourselves 
ridiculous, by interpreting poetry, as if it were prose, 
and not even knowing that it is poetry, quoted from 
an uninspired book ! The true interpretation of this 
])assage, sir, makes it simply an oriental, poetic ac- 
count of the plain prose fact, that God gave to his 
people a wonderful victory in a single day, before the 
setting of sun or moon — a victory unsurpassed in 
ancient times.'' 

I then appealed to our audience to decide whether 
or not I had made good my charge. The verdict 
was unanimous in my favor. Then I told them that 
I had merely illustrated the general fact, that the 
skeptics of our day were astonishingly and criminallv 



102 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

ignorant of the interpretations of the Bible, given by 
our progressive exegesis, which was constantly reveal- 
ing the harmony between God's works and God's 
word. 

Years after, on a special occasion, I preached 
in Strong Place Church, Brooklyn. As the audi- 
ence were retiring, a man pressed his way through 
them toward the pulpit. When he reached it, with 
beaming countenance he exclaimed, extending his 
hand : 

" Mr. Baldwin, I am so glad to see you again." 

I inquired w^hen we had ever met before. 

^' Oh," he replied, " I am the man you handled so 
easily on the Alabama River ! " 

I shall always regret that, turning aside to respond 
to other greetings, when I looked for him, he had gone. 
What effect, therefore, our interview on the steamboat 
had produced, I do not know. But surely his coming 
to hear me preach, and his cordial greeting, gave proof 
that it must have been more or less beneficent. 



XIII. 

REIiATIONS TO SOLDIERS. 



It is difficult to believe that during this pastorate 
our country has been the scene of a war unprecedented, 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 103 

in some of its aspects, in the world's bloody history. 
It cost billions of money ; and, directly and indirectly, 
a million of lives. But it settled forever political 
issues, which had been, and would have remained, 
causes of sectional strife. It established our nation- 
ality, and placed liberty for all men, of all colors, 
creeds, and conditions, on an immutable basis. In all 
the land, there was no city more patriotic than Troy. 
It gave its full quota of men and money. In our 
cemetery repose the remains of Major-General Geo. H. 
Thomas, ^^ The Rock of Cliickamaugua " ; of Major- 
General John E. Wool, " The Hero of Three Wars''; 
of Colonel George L. Willard, that accomplished sol- 
dier who, had he not fallen in battle, would have 
reached the highest military positions; and those of 
many other brave officers and privates. 

"And never shall they rest unsung 
While Liberty can find a tongue ; 
'Twine gratitude a wreath for them, 
More fadeless than the diadem." 

Two chief officers are still with us — General Alonzo 
Alden, whose gallant conduct at Fort Fisher, and on 
many other bloody fields, attracted the attention of an 
entire country, and the admiration of our Govern- 
ment. He was called by his soldiers, "■ The Father 
of the One Hundred and Sixtv-ninth," which fou^jht 



104 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

in twenty-eight battles ; and he lives among us, suffer- 
ing constantly from a wound received in the war, uni- 
versally respected and honored as a true patriot, a 
Christian gentleman, an active philanthropist, and 
an eminent citizen. The other is Major-General 
Joseph B. Carr. To him belongs the honor of having 
organized the Second Regiment of New York Volun- 
teers on the next day after the first gun was fired on 
Fort Sumter; and as its Colonel, of having made 
the first camp of the war on the soil of Virginia. He 
fought in eighteen battles, was wounded at Gettys- 
burg, breveted Brigadier-General in 1865, and sub- 
sequently made Major-General in the United States 
army. Such was the admiration of the citizens of our 
State — not only of his brilliant war record, but of his 
personal character and business capacities — that for 
three successive terms they elected him to the high 
office of " Secretary of State.'' And it is believed he 
would have been elected Governor at the subsequent 
election, if the politicians had given him what he 
richly deserved — the first, instead of the second place 
on the ticket. 

The First Baptist Church and Congregation enjoy 
the honor of having sent by far the largest number 
of volunteers to the war of any other religious society 
in this section. General S. C. Armstrong largely 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 105 

recruited the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regi- 
ment from our Sunday-school, which presented a 
Bible to him. His fame has become national, because 
of his sublime achievement since the war — in which 
he bore a brave part — in originating and sustaining 
an educational and industrial institution at Old Point 
Comfort, which is so useful and popular, that both the 
United States Government and the State of Virginia 
aid in its support, and which has now a property 
worth over half a million of dollars. His genius and 
self-sacrificing devotion have accomplished this grand 
work, whose influence is potential in solving the great 
Indian and Negro problem. From the pastor's home, 
Ezra De Freest Simons enlisted as a private in the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment ; and when 
its chaplain resigned, his comrades elected, and Gov- 
ernor Horatio Seymour appointed him to fill the 
vacancy ; and our church ordained him to the minis- 
try. In that capacity he served during the war, with 
such unselfish devotion, untirino; enerev. Christian 
fidelity, and heroic courage, that he won the affec- 
tionate confidence of both officers and men, insomuch 
that they declared that in his personal and official 
character he had no superior in the entire army. The 
pastor's eldest son also entered the service as a ^* pri- 
vate," and came home at the end of the war entitled, 



106 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

" Major Charles J. Baldwin,'^ His comrades told 
me that they recognized in him " the handsomest and 
bravest oJBQcer in the regiment.'^ 

It was inspiring to witness the spirit which ani- 
mated the great body of our Union soldiers. This is 
illustrated by a fact related by Major-General Terry. 
He said that when the Sixth Massachusetts soldiers 
marched two miles in Baltimore, through a maddened 
crowd, and safely entered the cars, one of the crowd 
exclaimed : 

^' It is of no use trying to do anything against those 
fellows ! '' 

" Why not ? '^ cried another. 

" Because/^ he replied, pointing to the departing 
train, " there goes Bunker Hill.'' 

During the war I visited the army three times — 
once at Newport News. The chaplain being just then 
in disgrace, I had special opportunities for Christian 
work. At our last public meeting, an incident oc- 
curred which I entitle : 

AK EMPHATIC PLEDGE. 

There had been much talk about securing: the dis- 
missal of the inefficient and unpopular chaplain, and 
obtaining my appointment to that position. This 
gave additional interest to our farewell service. Many 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 107 

funeral occasions have not the tender solemnity which 
pervaded that meeting. We knew that we should 
all never meet again. We all knew that peril of 
life or limb on gorj battle fields was before these 
hundreds of strong young men, and that many would 
certainly be killed. With all the energies of my soul, 
I did all I could to prepare them for the awful hours 
before them, by preaching the adorable Christ to 
them. When sermon and prayers were over, and we 
had sung, with tearfulness, '^ Say, Brothers, will you 
meet us,'^ one of the soldiers cried out, in a broken voice : 

" Oh ! Mr. Baldwin, if you will come and be our 
chaplain, I will be one of the brothers too. I swear 
I will ! " 

Poor fellow ! that seemed a solemn pledge in that 
solemn hour ; but it pierced the centre of my heart, 
as the strongest method he knew for expressing an 
honest, sincere desire. 

Our regiment was captured at Harper's Ferry, and 
after being paroled, was sent to Chicago. There one 
of them deserted. His mother was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and my neighbor, and 
became almost distracted by her son's disgrace and 
danger. Believing that I could do it, she begged me 
to save her boy : and I resolved to do so, if possible. 
To succeed, I knew I must prevail with 



108 A FORTY-ONE YEASS' PASTOEATE. 

THE SECKETAEY OF WAE. 

Mr. Stanton was reputed to be cold, hard, severe; 
and in order to go to him fully "armed and equipped/' 
I obtained a letter of introduction from General Wool. 
That brave officer's approbativeness was exceptionally 
large. He could enjoy any amount of praise given 
him, on account of his brilliant military career. But 
it is due to his memory to add, that he would return 
compliments with royal generosity. Therefore the 
letter he gave me was a curiosity of its kind, but it 
proved effectiv^e in my mission. Just then, I after- 
wards learned, a coolness existed between the Secretary 
and the General, which both regretted, and this, I am 
sure, made Mr. Stanton very willing to oblige the old 
hero. Reaching the War Office, I found it filled with 
an eager, expectant crowd. Pressing my way toward 
Avhere he was standing, I bowed and said : 

"Mr. Secretary, I have a letter to you from General 
Wool, and beg the privilege of delivering it to you, 
personally, in private." 

For a few moments his glittering eyes scanned me 
from head to feet. Then in a hoarse, wearied voice, 
he bade me follow him into his private office. While 
he was reading my letter, I saw that he was gratified, 
and when he had finished, he said : 

" Well — what do vou want ? " 



A FOKTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 109 

Briefly I told my story, and ou the basis of the 
loyalty of my church, and the patriotic consecration of 
my first-born son, for whom I never had, and never 
should ask a favor, I begged that the deserter might 
be pardoned, and restored to the ranks. His pallid 
face changed its expression of tired impassiveness to 
one of earnest interest, as he exclaimed: 

" You are the most preposterous man I ever met, 
asking nothing for your own son, and beseeching me 
to pardon this poor devil of a deserter, who deserves 
to be hung." 

" That," I responded, *^ with profoundest respect, is 
exactly my case." 

My request was granted, and with a kind message 
to General Wool from the Great Secretary, I returned 
home, with my joyful news to the delighted mother. 

At a late period of the war one of our own dear 
vouuo^ brethren was wounded at the battle of South 
Mountain, and his parents were in great distress. 
Asking them to keep calm as possible, and have faith 
in God, I went to Baltimore, found General Wool in 
command of that Department, and gained — 

A VICTOIIY OVER A VICTOR. 

Nothing could exceed the kindness with which the 
commandant received me ; but when I asked a 



110 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

^^pass" for myself, and a ^'furlough" for my wounded 
brother, he positively refused both. I urged, and 
entreated with such tenacious persistence, that finally 
he became impatient, and I had to change my tactics. 
I spoke of our long and pleasant neighborly friend- 
ship, and that he knew that sometimes friendship 
would not allow itself to be contracted by red tape ; 
the great loyalty of my church ; and our pride in and 
admiration of himself as our Trojan hero. At this 
he assumed an expression of great severity, straitened 
himself to his full height, and angrily said : 

'^ Dr. Baldwin, do you think that you can catch a 
weasel asleep ? " 

Then I put on all the dignity I could command, 
and with a most determined air, responded : 

" With permission, my dear General, I inform you, 
that I don't want a weasel asleep or aw^ake, — I want 
mv wounded brother, and I will have him. You 
must pardon me for reminding you who I am, w^hat 
my influence in Troy is, and what I can accomplish if 
I try." 

The grand old hero, with old-fashioned politeness, 
surrendered, gave me what I asked, and having found 
the wounded soldier near the battle-field, I brought 
him triumphantly home to his grateful father and 
mother. 



A FORTY-ONE YEAKS' PASTORATE. Ill 

CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS. 

In neither of my trips to the South had I seen any 
of these soldiers. But during my last one, referred 
to in the preceding note, my curiosity was painfully 
gratified. The public buildings in the place where 
I fouud my brother, were all filled with the wouuded 
of both armies, because none had, as yet, been taken 
to hospitals. One large building was filled with Con- 
federates. Accompanied by ray happy Union soldier, 
I went and stood in the open door of that edifice, and 
saw a sight, to me, new and awful. The floor was 
nearly covered by the prostrate forms of those who 
had fought against our Government. At first they 
gazed at me fiercely ; but, when I asked the privilege 
of speaking to them, and praying for them, and pro- 
ceeded to tell who I was, and why I had come to the 
army, of how kindly our Northern people felt toward 
them, how deeply they deplored this fratricidal strife, 
how frequently they were praying for its honorable, 
speedy termination ; and when I held up before them 
the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, as having died for us 
all, and now living to sympathize with us in our suffer- 
ings — be tons ^' a friend that sticketh closer than a 
brother," as well as an all-sufficient atoning Saviour — 
they melted. After prayer, I went to each one, spoke 
as kindly as I could, expressed my hope of meeting 



112 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

them in heaven, and left them feeling the sweet 
blessedness of their united benedictions. 

AN AGONIZING SIGHT. 

This I saw on our way home through Maryland. 
In a village, near to where there had been a battle, 
there was a large church, out of which all the pews 
had been removed from floor and galleries ; and the 
entire spaces, even on the porch, were covered with 
the forms of our own wounded, some of them horri- 
bly mangled. Oh ! such expressions of pain as were 
on the pallid faces, on which I tearfully gazed ! Such 
piteous groans saluted my ears ! Such an intolerable 
odor filled the air that I could not endure it, and turned 
away with the keenest heart-sickness I ever experi- 
enced. Surely Napoleon was right when he said : 
" War is the trade of barbarians.^' And Shakespeare 
wrote truthfully — 

"Oh I War, thou son of hell, 
Whom angry heavens do make their minister." 



xiri. 

THE WITCH OF ENDOR. 



" Since we have spoken of witches," said Lord Byron, 
"what think you of the Witch of Endor? I have 
always thought that, as given in the Bible, the most fin- 



A FORTY- O^^E YEARS' PASTORATE. 113 

ished witch-scene ever conceived or written ; and you 
will be of the same opinion, if you consider all the cir- 
cumstances of the actors in the case, together with the 
gravity, simplicity, and density of the language. It 
beats all the ghost-scenes I ever read." — Kennedy's 
"Conversations With Loid Byron." 

lu 1870, Spiritualism became popular with a mul- 
titude iu our city ; and its success made it rampant, 
defiant, and blatant. During this pastorate, in order 
to give variety to our pulpit, I delivered many 
" courses " of sermons and lectures, and was at that 
time engaged upon a ^' course'^ entitled, "Representa- 
tive Women of the Bible.^^ The method pursued 
was to select the leading woman of a period, and not 
only analyze her character, but group around her the 
chief historic facts of that era. Having reached the 
reign of Saul, without hesitation I announced that 
our subject for the following Lord's Day would be, 
" The Witch of Endor.'' It did not occur to me that 
this record was proclaimed by Spiritualists to be the 
Scriptural proof of their doctrine, until I commenced 
my special study of it. Then, to my dismay, I found 
that every one of my commentaries gave to it the 
same literal interpretation. Imploring divine aid, I 
commenced an independent investigation of this 
record, which resulted in what to me was an original, 

H 



114 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

and I believe to be the true, interpretation. The 
excitement, in view of what Spiritualists regarded as 
my liopeless dilemma, filled our large church to over- 
flowing. The delivery of the discourse occupied 
about one hour and a half. Of it, on the next dav, 
"" The Troy Tirues ^' contained the following : " No 
sermon preached in Troy during many years produced 
such an effect as has been produced by the one 
preached in the First Baptist Church yesterday. It 
was a scientific and exhaustive discussion of Spiritual- 
ism, so called.^' Because of evidence received from 
many parts of our country that it has been helpful, 
and in the hope that it may be so to other perplexed 
minds, it is here incorporated. 

THE WrrCH OF ENDOR AKD MODERN SPIRITISM. 
1 Samuel 28: 3-25. 

Nature and the Bible are mate volumes by the same 
author. Each was divinely designed to aid in interpret- 
ing the other ; both to reveal God to man. Nature, his 
*' elder Scripture," reveals him as the primal Cause of all 
its causes, Lawgiver of all its laws, Designer of all its benefi- 
cent results. " For the invisible things of him from the 
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood 
by the things that are made, even his eternal power and 
Godhead." His works throw light upon his word ; and 
his word upon his works. As each is progressively better 
understood, their harmony will become more and more 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 115 

apparent, and it shall be seen that real antagonism exists 
only between human opinions in regard to nature and 
revelation, and not between these twin products of the 
same God. 

During the past few years, the science of geology has 
demonstrated the ftilsity of an interpretation of the first 
chapter of Genesis, which had been held sacred for ages ; 
but Avhile overthrowing the human interpretation, it has 
raarvelously confirmed the divine integrity of that chap- 
ter, by showing its true teaching, corroborated by testi- 
mony found in the remains of geologic ages. 

So I believe it will be in regard to other sciences, spe- 
cially those which are revealing the wondrous physical 
and spiritual natures of man — their mysterious relations 
to each other, and strange fiicts in connection with their 
abnormal conditions. Divine truths in these departments 
are yet to throw astonishing ligrht on the real meaniuor of 
the divine word. Do not, therefore, friends, make the 
woeful mistake of identifying men's opinions of the Bible 
— however long cherished or sacredly held — 'svith the 
Bible itself; and if in the progress of knowledge you 
shall see venerable traditional interpretations totter and 
fall, be not alarmed. Remember that they are merely 
human expositions, not the record itself. That " cannot 
be broken/' " The word of our Lord shall stand for- 
ever." That is the "sure word of prophecy, whereunto 
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth 
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise 
in your hearts," 

In this Scripture, three persons are represented as actors. 



116 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

I will give you information concerning each of these, 
separately, before studying the scene in which they appear 
together. Because, to any acquainted with his history, it 
must seem strange to find the great prophet of Israel, the 
founder of the first school of prophets, in such company, 
and taking part in such proceedings as are here recorded, 
I notice him first. 

Samuel, you will remember, was one of the last of the 
Judges. His history is one of the purest, noblest, on any 
record. He was the son of the pious Hannah, who took 
him to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, with a thank-offering, 
and said to Eli, the priest, while she held the beautiful 
child in her arms : " For this child I prayed ; and the 
Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. 
Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord ; as long as he 
liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." Thus, pious mother 
that she was, she dedicated her child to God. He re- 
mained in the tabernacle, and spent his youth and early 
manhood in its sacred services. Subsequently he was 
elevated to the Judgeship of Israel, and administered the 
laws during twenty years, so as to meet the approbation 
of God, and promote the highest interests of the people. 
He was also honored with the gift of prophecy ; so that 
he was not only a civil judge, but a spiritual guide. 
Moreover, he presided over the school of prophets at 
Ramah with dignity and success. When old, he ap- 
pointed his sons judges. They, however, walked "not 
in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, 
and perverted judgment." Israel, dissatisfied and influ- 
enced by the example of other nations, demanded a king. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS'* PASTORATE. 117 

This was painful to Samuel, and offensive to God ; for he 
said to his aged servant, while smarting under the ingrati- 
tude of the people: "They have not rejected thee, but 
they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." 
The Prophet Judge anointed their new king ; and while he 
lived was by his side as a living conscience. He died at the 
age of ninety-eight : but before his death, he assembled all 
Israel at Gilgal to hear his farewell address. It was a 
grand scene. Before the gathered thousands, the aged 
man, with white, flowing locks, venerable form, and voice 
tremulous with solemn emotion, arose to make his final 
speech. It is recorded in the twelfth of his first Book. 
I commend it to vou. Do not fail to read it. I can 
only quote a few verses. ''And Samuel said unto all 
Israel : Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in 
all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over 
you. And now, behold, the king walketh before you : 
and I am old, and gray-headed, and behold, my sons are 
witii you : and I have walked before you from my child- 
hood unto this day. Behold, here I am ; witness against 
me before the Lord, and before his anointed : whose ox 
have I taken ? or whose ass have I taken ? or whom have 
I defrauded ? whom have I oppressed ? or of whose hand 
have I received any bribe to blind my eyes therewith ? 
and I will restore it you." How exalted the eulogium on 
his character, conveyed in the response of the people : 
*' Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither 
hast thou taken aught of any man's hand." Soon after 
this he died, and was buried with national pomp at 
Ramah, and all Israel made lamentation over him. In 



1J8 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTOEATE. 

all the annals of the Gentile world, no character so 
nearly resembles him as the Grecian Aristides, surnamed 
the Just, who, after holding high places of trust, was 
condemned to exile by his own countrymen, and died in 
poverty, but with an unsullied fame. 

The next person named in the record before us is 
Saul. Glance we at his history. He was "the son of 
Kish, a mighty man of power." Of young Saul, it is 
said: "He was a choice young man, and a goodly." 
And this is recorded of his personal appearance : " There 
was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person 
than he ; from his shoulders and upwards he was higher 
than any of the people." Endowed with extraordinary 
intellectual power, in addition to his physical superiority, 
he was extremely popular; and to the eye of the Jews, 
longing for a king, he was their very beau-ideal of roy- 
alty. The account of Samuel's first interview with him 
in relation to the matter, is very interesting. We are 
told that when the aged prophet said to the noble youth, 
" On whom is the desire of all Israel ? Is it not on thee 
and thy father's house?" Saul heard it with marked 
modesty ; for instead of eagerly seizing the crown held 
out before him, meekly he replied : " Am I not a Benja- 
mite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my 
family the least of all the families of the tribe of Ben- 
jamin? Wherefore speakest thou so unto me?" Sub- 
sequently a national convention was held at Mizpeh, and 
he was chosen, by lot, to be the King of Israel. When 
the result was made known, the venerable prophet stood 
up with young Saul before the gathered representatives 



A FORTY-ONE YEARs' PASTORATE. 119 

of the nation, and said, pointing to the king, "See ye 
whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none among 
the people like him ? " And the mighty crowd, swayed 
by tumultuous joy, shouted, ''God save the king." He 
was then anointed by the prophet, and for a time was 
true to his God. During that period, as a king, he was 
wise in counsel, victorious in battle, popular at home and 
honored abroad; but a woeful change came over him. 
Popularity pampered his pride ; gratified ambition made 
him self-conceited and self-reliant. He forsook God. 
He chafed at the faithful rebukes of Samuel, usurped the 
priestly functions of the prophet, and resolved on war 
without consulting God. Before his death, the faithful 
Samuel, then an old man, wearing a mantle, thus ad- 
dressed him : " Thou hast done foolishly. Thou hast 
not kept the commandments of thy God. Thou hast 
rebelled, and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft ; there- 
fore, because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, 
therefore he hath rejected thee." The king saw his 
faithful friend no more, for he was gathered to his fathers 
in Ramah. 

Months rolled on, but Saul was a changed man. He 
became morose, gloomy, and revengeful ; insomuch, that 
with his own hand he endeavored to murder David, his 
son-in-law. He ordered Doeg to slay eighty-five priests 
of the Lord, and became so utterly depraved that Jeho- 
vah, seeing that he was "joined to his idols, let him 
alone." 

And then theUrim became dark; prophets were silent, 
and dreams and visions disappeared. He was abandoned 



120 A FORTY-OJiJE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

to his own heart, the heaviest curse that God can inflict 
on mortal. 

The remaining person brought before us in this record 
is the Witch. This woman belonged to that class of per- 
sons which has existed in almost every age of the world, 
and are called by different names. In the Bible we have 
the following enumeration of different classes of these 
characters, the origin of whose arts is unknown, but 
whose highest developments were reached in Egypt, and 
from thence spread through the world. 

There was the " ttser of divination " : a mode of gain- 
ing knowledge of future events, employed among the 
tribes of the south part of Palestine. Ezekiel 21 : 21 
specifies three of the means they employed — arrows, 
sculptured images, and the entrails of animals. The 
" observer of times" or of dreams, was another, who, by 
this method, common in Egypt, Assyria, among Israelites, 
and the Greeks and Romans, sought supernatural knowl- 
edge. The " enchanter," or serpent charmer, Psalm 58 : 
4, 5 ; the " witches " and " sorcerers" composed most dan- 
gerous classes in Canaan, and are so fearfully condemned 
in Ex. 7: 11; 2 Kings 9: 22; Num. 23: 3; Jer. 27: 9; 
Mic. 5: 12. The ^^ charmers" by the power of song — a 
method of soothing the nervous system, now used in tlie 
East — mentioned by Xenophon as common among the 
Greeks ; and according to 1 Sam. 16 : 23. and Ps. 58 : 5, 
were numerous among the Israelites. Then there was 
the " consulter of familiar spirits," the ventriloquist — 
alluded to by Pliny and the Latin scholiast — persons who 
exerted a nervous influence on boys, by causing them to 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 121 

look intently on vases, from which they seemed to call the 
spirits of the dead, while really they only spoke from 
their own abdomens. These are mentioned in Isa. 8: 19; 
29 : 4 There was also the " necromancer,^' or consulter 
of departed spirits, referred to in Deut. 18 : 11. And 
besides these we find " astrologers," star-gazers, and 
monthly prognosticators, mentioned in Isaiah 47 : 13. 
■ Now I beg you to observe the strange fact, that this 
Bible, which so many people now-a-days profess to think 
behind the age, still has grouped together all the forms of 
■witchery, enchantment, divination, necromancy, etc., that 
the learned world yet knows of. Observe the view of the 
character of these manifestations presented in the Bible. 

The reality of mysterious phenomena is admitted. 

It is stated that by means of these different methods, a 
real, mysterious influence was exerted, causing strange 
sounds, strange sights, and mysterious results — as the 
changing of the magicians' rods in Egypt were produced. 
And let any one study, in connection with the Bible, the 
history of Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, and Indian magi- 
cians, soothsayers, jugglers, and wonder-workers, and he 
will assuredly conclude that the mysterious manifestations 
of the present day are still far behind what has been seen 
and heard in ancient and modern times, in other lands. 
For in almost every land and every age, the operation of 
these occult agencies has been witnessed and commented 
on by men most eminent in science and literature — by 
Franklin and Hale, by Walter Scott, Salverte and 
Thompson, by Galen, Pliny, and Cicero, by Plato, 
Socrates, and Zoroaster, as well as by Moses, David, 



122 A FORTY -ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

Isaiah, Luke, and Paul. The admitted facts are nowhere 
ascribed to supernatural agencies. Those causes are not 
always explained ; they are admitted to be mysterious, 
originating in the deep hidden laws of nature, scientific 
skill, and artful management, operating upon the nervous 
element in the physical constitution, and the superstitious 
element in the human mind. 

Another point in regard to the Bible view of this 
matter, is of immense importance, viz. : that a resort to 
such means to obtain knowledge is everywhere condemned. 

Isaiah 8 : 19 : " And when they shall say unto you, 
Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto 
wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people 
seek unto their God? for the living to the dead ? " Deut. 
18 : 9, 10, 11,12: " When thou art come into the land which 
the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do 
after the abominations of those nations. There shall not 
be found among you any one that maketh his son or his 
daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, 
or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a 
charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, 
or a necromancer. For all tliat do these things are an 
abomination unto the Lord ; and because of these abomi- 
nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before 
thee." Lev. 20 : 6 : " The soul that turneth after such 
as have familiar spirits, .... I will set my face against that 
soul, and will cut him oflP from his people." 27 : " The man 
or woman that hath a familiar spirit shall surely he put to 
death:' Consult also, 18: 12, 14; Hosea 4: 11, 12. So 
in the New Testament, in the account of the rich man 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS PASTORATE. 123 

and of Lazarus, Jesus says, " If they believe not Moses 
and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one 
rose from the dead." Now the woman of Endor belonged 
to one of the classes I have mentioned. She was a necro- 
mancer, who professed to be able to call up the spirits of 
the dead. Women of her class had marked peculiarities. 
They were generally advanced in years ; deeply versed in 
human nature ; acquainted with all the weaknesses, hopes, 
and fears of the human heart ; possessed of high nervous 
organizations, great nervous and magnetic power. They 
■were also familiar with exciting drugs, and their myste- 
rious effect on body and mind. Further, they were the 
keenest possible observers of men and passing events. 
And I ask your attention to this fact — they were always 
wicked women, abandoned by their own sex, living alone, 
and devotees of the lowest forms of idolatry. Such was the 
one before us. Her very name indicates that she was a 
devotee of the god Ador. 

True, in this record she is called " a woman that had a 
familiar spirit," and I call her a witch. Why? Because, 
although sexually she was a woman, professedly she prac- 
ticed witchcraft — and therefore was a witch, and such the 
world has called her ever since this record was written. 
Because such was her business, her profession by which 
she obtained her livelihood, she would have acknowledged 
the correctness of this title. I do not doubt but that she 
would have been "ashamed" of the ignorance of any, 
who would deny her right to the proper name of the 
profession, which she made a life occupation. History 
shows that the men were called " wizards," and women 



124 A FORTY-ONE YEARS^ PASTORATE. 

"witches;" and because it came to be largely monopo- 
lized by women, it resulted in the business being called 
"witchcraft"; and because, in this record she appears 
before us in her professional capacity, I give the " woman 
of Endor " her professional title. I deem it merest jus- 
tice to her to do so. Belonging to the most degraded 
social class, an outcast from respectable society, she would 
have grinned a ghastly smile to have heard herself called 
"a most estimable person;" simply because, when she 
saw the wretched king so affected by her " communica- 
tions " that " there w'as no strength in him," — he having 
" eaten no bread all the day, or night " — and doubtless 
afraid of the indignation which she felt might arise in his 
mind against her, whose life was in his power, she was 
shrewd enough to propitiate him with a hearty meal. 
Any witch w'as smart enough for that ! 

Observe now, these women did not profess to call up 
the dead bv the ao;encv of Satan or of inferior demons : 
but by the power of their gods, who were their " familiar 
spirits," and who were idol gods, and therefore had no 
existence. Another fact to be remembered is, that these 
sorcerers possessed the power of what the ancients called 
Engastrymysme, that is, the power of speaking from the 
stomach, or ventriloquism. Pliny says, that in the temple 
of Hercules, at Tyre, which was located in the very coun- 
try where the Witch of Endor lived, on the border of the 
Mediterranean, there was a consecrated stone, out of 
which gods were said to arise — that is, strange apparitions 
appeared, to which the attending priestess, by the power 
of ventriloquism, gave voice. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 125 

The last and the highest power possessed by these per- 
sons, to which I have now time to refer, was this : Tlie 
capability, in abnormal conditions, of coming ** en rapport " 
vdth the minds of those who consulted with them, so thjit 
those minds were opened to them. This power, possessed 
by persons of a certain nervous temperament, can be 
traced through all the records of the past. We call it 
animal magnetism, clairvoyance, the nervous principle, or 
psychology. It is demonstrated now, beyond a doubt, that 
by mysterious, but purely natural influences, a person of a 
certain nervous organization can be placed in such con- 
nection vdth another, similarly organized, that the mind of 
the latter will be open to that of the former — the former will feel, 
see, and know just what the latter feels, sees, knows. Let me 
give you a reliable fact. Eliot Warburton, Esq., one of 
the finest scholars of the age, in his book of travels, en- 
titled " The Crescent and the Cross," states that at Cairo, 
he engaged a magician to visit him, who performed the 
following: A boy was called in, and after some ado, was 
made to look intently into his own hand ; the magician 
gazed at him fixedly, working himself up into a great 
excitement ; at last he said the charm was complete, and 
told Warburton that any one he asked for would appear. 
He asked for Sir Henry Hardinge. Tiie boy said "he is 
here," and described him correctly, as a little man in a 
black dress, white cravat, gray hair, and having but one 
leg. Then W. asked for Lord E — n. The boy said, '* he 
is here," and described him accurately — as a long man, 
with green glasses, bending forw^ard. Lablache and 
others were called, and appeared to the boy, who had been 



126 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

placed in psychological connection with Warburton by the 
magician, so that he saw what was in the consulter's mind. 
Records of the East are full of such instances. 

In the " American Journal of Insanity," Dr. Bell, one 
of the most learned physiologists and keenest investiga- 
tors of the times, gives the results of his examinations of 
modern '' Spiritual Phenomena." He treats the whole 
matter with candor, and affirms that the spirit theory 
must be given up; for after the most extensive investiga- 
tion, he is satisfied that " what the questioner knows, the 
(so called) sjnrits know ; and what the questioner does not 
know, the {so called) spirits are entirely ignorant oj^ 

The Witch of Endor had that power — as well as all 
others of her class — haggard, godless, abandoned though 
she was. And the developments of this, before those who 
did not possess the power themselves, and are ignorant of 
its existence, produce the same effect in modern that they 
did in ancient times. They are readily ascribed to the 
spirits of the dead. 

The first object of the lecture is now accomplished. 
You have now before you Samuel, Saul, the Witch, and 
their individual callings and characters. 

We are now prepared to contemplate the scene in the 
record before us. Remember the faithful Samuel is long 
since dead, and gone to heaven. Remember Saul's con- 
dition. He is abandoned by God ; the blood of eighty- 
' "five murdered dead is on his hands. He has rejected 
God, and God has rejected him. The hearts of Israel 
/ are alienated from him in consequence of his unjust and 
cruel government, and are already entwined around 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 127 

young David, whom Samuel has long since anointed 
king, and in whom Saul has long beheld a successful 
rival, and vainly sought to murder. He is morose, sad, 
and g:loomv. He eats no food, and has erown weak and 
pale. His ancient, national foes, encouraged by the dis- 
ordered state of his kingdom, flushed ^vith hope, will 
attack him on the morrow. They have marched unre- 
sisted to the centre of his country ; and, as he gazed upon 
them, he has trembled beneath the conscious certainty 
that he was doomed — lost — forsaken by man — abandoned 
by God. 

Night overshadows the earth ; but not so black is its 
ofloom as the darkness that fills the soul of the miserable 
king. Of whom does he now remind youf Do you re- 
member Shakespeare's Macbeth ? It would seem as if 
the immortal bard must have had the history of Saul 
before him when he wrote that terrific tragedy. Think 
of the parallel between Saul, the King of Israel, and 
Macbeth, the King of Scotland. Both arose from low 
stations. There was a time when neither of them ever 
dreamed of royalty. Both were men of mark, but treach- 
erous and cruel. Both were warriors. Both were mur- 
derers of their own guests. Saul, in purpose, was guilty 
of the murder of his guest David ; Macbeth, in deed ; 
for he imbued his hands in the blood of Duncan. Both 
were the cause of other murders — Saul bade Doeg kill 
eighty-five priests ; Macbeth hired a villain to waylay 
and slay Banquo. Both hunted the innocent, and slew 
them because of jealous revenge. Macbeth slew the help- 
less wife and children of Macduff"; Saul hunted like a 



128 A ^OETY-o^'E yeaks' pastorate. 

blood-hound Abiathar for favoring David. Both sought 
to cement their tottering thrones hy blood. Both had evil 
spirits — the one, in his own soul ; the other, in the form 
of an ambitious, tempting, murderous wife. Both came 
into desperate straits. Both were pressed by armed foes. 
Both were abandoned by men and God. Both, in their 
dire extremity, resorted to witches — Saul at gloomy 
Endor ; Macbeth on the blasted heath, amid thunder and 
lightning, met the unearthly hags — 

" Black spirits and white, 
Bed spirits and gray." 

Both died unnatural and tragical deaths, by means of 
the same weapon, the sword. The heads of both were 
cut off as trophies. The injured Macduff bore in triumph 
the ghastly head of Macbeth ; and the Philistines, the 
day after the battle, cut off Saul's head, and " fastened his 
body to the wall of Bethshan^" 

Tracing this parallel no further, I must ask you to 
look at a different view\ Starting from Mount Tabor, 
we go southward four miles, until we reach a ravine, deep 
sunken, and buried now in dark shadows of overhanging 
woods. We pass down into the dismal shades, and in a 
dreary dwelling, near to which we see no human abode, 
we find Endor's witch— a lonely hag, the dread of chil- 
dren and good women, hedged around with a circle of 
evil rumors, a wretched outcast from human society, an 
outlaw, judged worthy of death by civil and divine gov- 
ernments. The dead hour of midnight has arrived. 
She hath heard no sound save 

" The owl's screech and the cricket's cry." 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 129 

But look at her. She hears a noise. It is the sound of 
approaching footsteps. Her sunken, keen, black eyes 
dilate ; she scarcely breathes ; she knows that Saul has 
put to death all of her craft his officers could find, and 
now unknown steps are stealthily drawing near. A low 
knock is heard at her door. Calmly she opens it, and a 
tall man, muffled up in his robes, enters, followed by two 
attendants. He asks, in a low voice : " Bring me him up 
whom I shall name unto thee." The keen woman sus- 
pects asnar^, and replies : " Thou knowest that Saul hath 
cut off those who have familiar spirits ; wherefore then 
layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" He 
assures her upon oath that he will not betray her. Her 
suspicious are allayed. She fixes her magnetic gaze upon 
the pale face of the man before her, -whose nerves are 
excited to the highest degree, and who, having eaten 
nothing that day or night, is a most admirable subject for 
psychological and magnetic operation — whose mind is 
"wrought up to the intensest interest, his will being entirely 
submissive to hers — what modern medium could have 
wished for an easier object to operate upon ? But mark: 
all is still, as she gazes with her snaky eyes into his pale 
face — until the nervous and magnetic union between them 
is formed ; and lo! she sees all that is in his mind. Re- 
member, he came there to see Samuel. Remember, the 
old man was in Saul's mind, as he last saw him, with his 
venerable locks and mantle. Remember, he was expect- 
ing to meet him, and therefore the moment the magnetic 
union is formed, and the woman sees what is in Saul's 

mind, she exclaims : " I see Samuel ! "' Of course she did, 

I 



130 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

She saw the object most prominent in his mind ; and 
then, immediately recognizing her consulter, she cries out 
with affright. At this point, the mass of readers and 
commentators, in my honest judgment, have made a 
mistake. 

They have thought that the certain evidence that 
Samuel really appeared, is found in the fright of the witch. 
I submit to you that this is an error ; for remember she 
was condemned to death by the law of the land. Re- 
member she was suspicious of a snare as soon as she saw 
the three men, and would not proceed with her incanta- 
tion until assured, upon oath, of her safety. Remember 
that of no man on earth had she such cause to be afraid 
as of Saul ; for the law condemning witches had been a 
dead letter until he had put it terribly into execution. 
Remember she herself explains the cause of her alarm 
by her exclamation : " Why hast thou deceived me ; for 
thou art Saul ? " 

Her alarm, then, was not on account of the figure of 
Samuel she saw in Saul's mind — for such views her pro- 
fession made her familiar with — but it was because her 
life was in jeopardy, inasmuch as she had been detected 
by the king himself. And mark further, that as soon as 
Saul again assures her of safety, you hear of no more 
alarm, but without comprehending the natural agencies 
at work, she resumes her psychological connection. Saul 
tremblingly asks : " What sawest thou ? " For, recollect, 
that during the whole scene, it is not said thai he saiv 
anything. The proof of this is found in the fact 
that he asks her: "What sawest thou?" She did all 



A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 131 

the seeing, and told him that she saw "gods ascending 
out of the earth." Now this was either a conscious lie — 
for there were no gods in the earth to come up — or the 
visionary effect of her own excited imagination. Then, 
in reply to a question of Saul, in whose excited mind 
Samuel was as he last saw him, an old man with a mantle 
on ; ignorant of this purely natural, yet strange power, 
whereby his mind was all open to that of the witch, Saul, 
like many now-a-days, was satisfied that it was a super- 
natural power, and so astonished was he that he fell down 
in alarm. Then commenced the conversation between 
Saul and the imaginary Samuel through this medium. 

An apparent difficulty here presents itself; but it is only 
an apparent one. The record says : *' Samuel spake to 
Saul." This mode of expression is common. It is said 
that " Solomon built the temple," whereas he did not 
touch a stone personally. It is said that " Jesus made 
and baptized more disciples than John," whereas he bap- 
tized none himself; he did so bv the a^j^eucv of others. 
You sav : " I built vonder house ; " you mean vou em- 
ployed others to build it for you. Go to a modern 
"spirit circle," and receive what purports to be commu- 
nications from your mother, and they will come through 
the medium ; and still spiritists will say : " Your mother 
says so-and-so." Then we have no difficulty in under- 
standing that what purported to come from Samuel came 
through the witch medium, who, by the power of ven- 
triloquism, easily caused Saul to believe that the voice 
was supernatural. 

In further proof of the correctness of this interpreta- 



132 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

tion, I ask your attention to a fact, which to my mind is 
perfectly conclusive. It is this — every item of iyiformation 
purporting to come from Samuel, already existed in the 
knowledge and excited fears of Saul. Bear in mind the 
circumstances. Saul, nervous and deluded, believed 
Samuel was personally there, simply because the witch 
said she saw him. How she saw him I have explained. 
It was natural that Saul should conceive of Samuel de- 
manding why he had been called ; hence the question — 
" Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up ? " That 
the holy prophet would have used such language — so 
heathenish in its wording and purport, if he really had 
been there — is simply preposterous. But that the psycho- 
logical impressions would anticipate such a rebuke from 
Samuel, is perfectly natural. And anticipating it, he 
utters his ready justification, which I beg you to remem- 
ber. Having " perceived," — i. e., become satisfied, from 
the account of what the witch had said she saw, viz : " an 
old man covered with a mantle," or linen ephod, such as 
the prophets wore, that he was in communication with 
Samuel; and having anticipated the rebuke — this is his 
doleful auswer : " I am sore distressed ; for the Philistines 
make war against me, and God is departed from me, and 
answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams ; 
therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known 
unto me what I shall do." 

Then commenced the communications. The j^rs^ was — 
that the " Lord had departed from Saul, and that there- 
fore he ought not to ask aid of him." Did not Saul know 
thatf AVhy, he had just told the imaginary Samuel that 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 133 

God had abandoned him ; that attempts to obtain knowl- 
edge from departed spirits had been expressly forbidden, 
he had known from his boyhood ; and of his final rejec- 
tion by Jehovah, Samuel distinctly announced to him 
before his death. See 1st Sam. xv : 23. 

The second — stated that " the Lord had taken the king- 
dom from him and given it to David." Was that news f 
Assuredly not, for Samuel had anointed David king ; the 
people's hearts had all gathered around him ; Jonathan 
knew this fact, for he said to David, " I know that the 
Lord hath given thee the kingdom " ; and because Saul 
-was well aware of this truth, he had sought assiduously to 
slav the Lord's anointed. 

The third — stated that the reason God had done this 
was because of Saul's conduct in relation to Amalek. It 
■will astonish any one who has not critically examined tlie 
subject, that the words of this communication are almost 
precisely those addressed to Saul^ in awful tones of retribu- 
tive warning by Samuel, at their last interview before h's 
death — words which had impressed themselves indelibly 
upon the guilty conscience of the treacherous monarch. 

The fourth and last stated that in the morrow's battle, 
the Philistines would be victorious, and himself and sons 
be slain. Mark the language here employed — "to-mor- 
row shalt thou and thy sons be with me." Would Samuel 
have employed such language if he had been there? Why 
for months before his death he would not allow Saul to 
approach him ; and would he have so overlooked all moral 
distinctions as to promise him a place in heaven by his 
side? Would he not have urged immediate repentance 



134 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

upon the guilty king, and preparation for the speedy 
entrance into eternity, which was before him? Now I 
admit that this was not in his mind in the form of posi- 
tive knowledge, as I have demonstrated that the facts of 
the other communications were; from the nature of the 
case, it could not be. But was it not there in another 
formf Is not this the very thing he dreaded, and to 
avoid which he sought aid ? Was not this a result fore- 
seeable to the most ordinary intelligence, under the cir- 
cumstances — his own arm being unnerved — his courage 
gone — his army dispirited — his people disaffected, and 
God his enemy? I affirm, therefore, with confidence, 
that this last communication was simply the terrific em- 
hodiment of his own awful appreheiuions and torturing 
fear. 

Sir Walter Scott, in his learned work on "Demonology 
and Witchcraft," although holding a different theory of 
this matter from the one I am presenting, still admits 
the truth of my last statement, in the following lan- 
guage: "The defeat and death of the broken-spirited 
king was an event, which the circumstances in which 
he was placed rendered highly probable, since he was 
surrounded by a superior army of the Philistines ; and 
his character as a soldier rendered it likely that he 
would not survive a defeat, which must involve the loss 
of his kingdom." And the result throws light upon the 
state of his mind. You remember that he was not slain 
hy the enemy; he committed suicide, an act which he 
doubtless premeditated ; for no one who understands his 
character, can, for a moment, believe that he would 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 135 

allow himself to be taken captive — the inevitable con- 
sequence of a defeat which should leave him unslain. 
And these are all the communications made to him by 
this wretched medium, who pretended to call up spirits 
from the " vasty deep." But no honest, sincere consulter 
of professed spirits now-a-days could be more sure that 
he has received communications direct from the spirit- 
land, than Saul was. He was convinced, overwhelmed, 
sore afraid, and fell full length upon the earth. The 
witch got ready a meal, of which they all partook, and 
then the wretched kino; returned to his roval tent at 
Gilboa. 

At last, morning's light falls upon the Hebrew moun- 
tains, and chases away the shadows of that dismal 
night. The armies meet in deadly combat. Victory 
soon perches upon the banners of Phiiistia. Gilboa is 
covered with the gory bodies of the slain. The moun- 
tain breeze is laden with the wails of the dying, and the 
air is rent by the victor shouts of the proud foe. A poet 
hath conceived of Saul at this terrible juncture, stretch- 
ing his tall form to its utmost height, as he beholds his 
surviving soldiers, and exclaiming — 

"Away, away, degenerate Hebrews, fly 
From Saul, nor see your monarch die. 
The hateful phantom vainly now implored, 
Unarmed my spirit and unedged my sword« 
Else, fled not Saul before the haughty foe, 
Nor on his back received the Gentile blow. 
Haste, slave, strike, strike ! the victor shall not say 
The chief of Israel was a living prey. 



136 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

"Strike the sharp weapon through my mangled breast, 
One deep wound more be added to the rest. 
Cbward ! this is the day, this is the hour ; 
Saul not outlives his glory and his power." 

Drawing his own sword, he falls upon it; and as his 
life-blood gurgles away, and through the gathering gloom 
the ocean fullness of eternity heaves in view, his soul's 
emotions are thus interpreted : 

"Eternity ! how dark the waves that roll 
In booming discord, on my frighted soul. 
Eternity ! how filled with wrath and gloom ; 
Creation's vast, yet never closing tomb. 
Billows that flow in awful shade and fire — 
Black, lowering horrors fierce, and flashing ire. 
Mystic and tedious, yet unshunned by me, 
Thy dismal terrors, O Eternity ! " 

Then all was still. Encased in roval armor that mas:- 
nificent form lay lifeless on the ground, enshrouded, like 
that of many other spirit consulters, in the blackness of 
a suicide's death. Over his sad fate the magnanimous 
David thus lamented : " How are the mighty fallen ! Ye 
mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let 
there be rain upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there 
the shield of the mighty is vilely cast aw^ay, the shield of 
Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil. Tell 
it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon, 
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the 
daughters of the uncircuracised triumph." 

The second object of this lecture is accomplished. You 
have before you the witch scene, and my interpretation 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 137 

thereof. I pass to my last object: which is to present 
some practical remarks deduced from both of the former. 

First — ^This subject throws light upon what are called 
"spiritual manifestations" of the present day. 

Indeed, the case of the Witch of Endor and Saul is 
claimed to be one of the clear proofs that a human being 
can call back the spirits of the dead. Is it not evident 
that this case, at least, fails to support that theory ? Now 
in addition to the arguments already presented, bear in 
mind that law of interpretation which requires that where 
any passage can he fairly explained on natural principles, 
we must not resort to a miracle for its elucidation ; and 
consider, the strength of the probability that I am cor- 
rect, in the view of this passage I have given you. The 
soul of Samuel, while in his body and out of it, was 
obedient to the will of Jehovah ; while in its body, God 
was the subject of its love and obedience. Therefore if 
it had come back from the high ministries of heaven, it 
would only have been in obedience to the will of God. 
Now look at the character of Saul. He has rejected 
God, and God has rejected him. He will not answer 
him " by Urim, by prophets, or by dreams." He is black 
with the clotted gore of nearly an hundred murders. 
Think of that witch — an idolater — an outcast — an out- 
law ; and tell me is there the least probability that, to 
gratify Saul, his enemy, God would send his servant 
Samuel from heaven into a witch's den, in response to 
incantations, on account of which he had commanded 
that witches should be put to death? and send him, too, 
on the useless errand of comraunicatins: to him facts 



138 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

that Saul already knew? Verily not! If one doubt 
remains, hear this passage, found in 1 Chron. 10 : 13 : 
"So Saul died for his transgression which he comniitted 
against the Lord : even against the word of the Lord, 
which he kept not ; and also for ashing counsel of one 
that had a familiar spirit — to inquire of it.'^ Again, I 
ask, can you believe that the spirit of Samuel would 
have appeared at the bidding of a vile witch, and the 
request of an apostate prince ? Did God refuse Saul the 
response of his prophets? and did a witch compel the 
appearance of Samuel, the chief of the prophets, not- 
withstanding ? No, no. 

The only shadow of a reason for this prevalent opinion 
is based upon the alarm the witch herself expressed, when 
she said she saw the old man with a mantle. Surely you 
will never fall into that error again while you remember : 

First. — That Samuel was thus in Saul's mind. 

Second. — That she merely saw what any clairvoyant 
could have seen, had he been in magnetic connection with 
Saul. 

Third. — That her own language demonstrates the cause 
of her alarm. She said : " Thou art Saul : why hast thou 
deceived me?" She was alarmed, because she thought 
she was detected in her unlawful business by the very 
king who had ordered such to be put to death. But 
while to our minds, illuminated by the light of the nine- 
teenth century, there is not even a probability that in 
this case the spirit of the departed returned to earth, and 
made communications, still, as I have before hinted, Saul, 
the majestic king, was satisfied, convinced, that such was 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 139 

the case; that he had really received a communication 
from a departed spirit ; and it is possible that the woman 
herself really thought so too. For history plainly shows 
that that strange, yet purely natural agent, which we call 
electricity, galvanism, mesmeric influence, the nervous 
principle, the psychic force, was known to the ancients, 
and employed by them ; and by many was regarded as 
supernatural, and therefore they supposed that when, by 
the excitement of their own nervous organizations, they 
induced a corresponding state of nervous sensibility, that 
it was caused by the spirits of the dead, or other super- 
natural powers. Hence both parties were often honestly 
and sincerely deceived. Does not this case then throw 
light upon what are called "spiritual manifestations" 
now-a-days — that portion, at least, where the medium 
merely communicates to the consulter, with whom she is 
in connection, facts of which she herself is ignorant, but 
which are all in his mind, though neither written nor 
spoken by him ? And yet, how many honest, sincere 
people there are who go to a medium, and ask questions, 
either mentally or orally, in regard to matters known 
only to themselves, and because the things are either 
rapped out, written, or spoken by the medium, feel just 
as Saul did — astonished, satisfied, convinced that they 
have had communications from the dead! 

And in regard to the remaining class of these phe- 
nomena, such as table moving, producing sounds and 
communicating matter which is not in the mind of the 
consulter — what is the rational and philosophical proba- 
bility in regard to them ? 



140 A FOETY-ONB YEAES' PASTORATE. 

Just this. Inasmuch as a thousand things now known 
to be the result of natural influences, in past days have 
been believed to be the products of supernatural power : 
and especially inasmuch as mesmeric trances, clairvoyant 
developments, and psychological influences have been 
regarded in past days as mysterious and inexplicable as 
these phenomena now are ; and as by the light of advanc- 
ing science they are now believed by everybody to be 
merely the operations of hitherto unknown mental and 
physical laws, so I affirm that the reasonable, philosophi- 
cal probability in regard to them is — that they are one 
of two things : 

They are either higher developments of now known 
"physical and mental laws — or of others purely natural^ yet 
to he discovered. 

Such was the view the soundest minds in our land held 
years ago. But how stands the case now f The progress 
of scientific research during the last twenty years has 
demonstrated that all the phenomena on which spiritism 
bases its claims, are to be traced to mundane sources. 
With this agree Dr. Carpenter, Faraday, and Mr. 
Crookes, the discoverer of the metal thallium, and Dr. 
Huggins, the leading spectroscopist in the world, and 
almost the first living astronomer. As the case now 
stands, every class of phenomena put forward by spiritists 
can be, and has been, produced by scientific experiment. 
In the ages past, these natural phenomena, because mys- 
terious, were attributed to heathen gods ; two hundred 
years ago, during the Salem Witchcraft excitement, they 
were credited by witches and by other people to the 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 141 

devil. Now spiritists hold that the very same things are 
due to the agency of departed spirits; while an advanced 
and advancing science traces them to natural forces. 

The monks of the dark ages accidentally found them- 
selves capable of exerting what we call mesmeric influ- 
ence. They did not know what it was, or how they 
produced it, any more than honest modern mediums know 
how their raps are produced ; but, like them, they ascribed 
it to supernatural power, and thousands of their adher- 
ents, just like the adherents of mediums now, religiously 
believed that it was the product of supernatural agency, 
which advancing science has demonstrated to be purely 
natural. 

To this view I have heard but one prominent objec- 
tion, namely : that mediums whose moral character is 
above reproach, unitedly assert that they do have inter- 
course with the departed — that they are perceptibly con- 
scious of seeing, hearing, and receiving messages from 
them, and that as consciousness is the highest possible 
kind of testimony, they ought to be believed. To this I 
reply that the validity of proof derived from conscious- 
ness, can only be predicated upon the consciousness of the 
mind in its normal or natural state ; for, in many abnor- 
mal or unnatural mental states, consciousness is no evi- 
dence at all. The man who has the delirium tremens is 
perfectly conscious that he sees snakes and devils; but is 
his consciousness any evidence of their presence? When 
under psychological influence, persons see men with noses 
four feet long, and women with a dozen mouths ; is that 
anv evidence of the existence of such monstrosities? 



142 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

History will aid us on this point. During the fifteenth, 
sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries, what was then 
called necromancy — witchcraft — prevailed far more ex- 
tensively over Europe than what is called spiritualism 
yet prevails over America; for it was the general, popu- 
lar belief. 

Daring a long period, all the mediums in extensive 
territories affirmed that they regularly attended what was 
called the Witches' Sabbath, and met many there whom 
they knew. And so sure were they of it, that when 
afterwards persons were placed upon their trial for witch- 
craft, they testified upon oath that the accused had been 
present, and participated in the exercises of the Witches' 
Sabbath. They testified that at those times they had 
seen the devil in person baptize novitiates, administer the 
sacrament to them ; that they then all feasted, danced, 
and drank until cock- crowing ; and then all returned 
home on the backs of demons, or astride broomsticks. 
Now these thousands of persons were honest in their 
belief; to them it was a matter of consciousness — to us a 
certain delusion. But how do I account for it, on the 
views presented in this lecture ? Thus : everybody be- 
lieved in witchcraft. Witches were in everybody's mind. 
Persons no sooner passed out of the normal into the abnor- 
mal or psychological condition, than the universal belief in 
these spirits impressed itself upon them ; and by the mental 
law to which I have referred, these impressions became em- 
bodied as visible realities, and they sincerely believed they 
were in communication with them. 

So I explain the phenomena of modern spirit inter- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 143 

course. The medium now sits down in a circle, prepos- 
sessed with the idea of communicating with spirits. He 
passes into the abnormal or clairvoyant state with this 
impression on his mind. The persons who compose the 
circle are similarly impressed ; for they come there to 
obtain spiritual manifestations. Each one thinks of the 
spirit of some departed friend ; and all these thoughts, by 
a strange and natural law, become impressed on the mind 
of the medium. And then he is enabled accurately to 
describe the departed, imitate their actions, tell when and 
how they died, etc., in exact accordance with the knowl- 
edge latent in the minds of those interested ; so that the 
communications are merely " the responsive echoing of 
their own mental mechanism — the telegraphic rapping 
out of their own electric-borne thought." Now you ob- 
serve that I do not accuse mediums of trickery or deceit. 
I apply to them or their adherents no scurrilous epithets. 
I admit the facts they claim. I simply deny their infer- 
ence. They infer, as Saul did, that they are the products 
of departed spirits. I affirm that they are but the work- 
ings, as in the case before us, of mysterious, yet purely 
natural, physical and mental laws. 

But it is said that learned men, occupying high sta- 
tions, believe in the spirit theory. I reply that history 
has a parallel for this. What names stand higher than 
those of Sir Edward Coke and Sir Matthew Hale? Yet 
both believed in the reality of witchcraft, and the latter 
presided, in 1650, at trials where persons were convicted 
of it ; and he condemned them to death. 

Moreover, it is alleged that the vast numbers of spirit 



144: A FORTY-OIS'E YEAES' PASTORATE. 

believers is proof of its truthfulness. " The brains of the 
world," it is affirmed, are either avowed spiritists or favor- 
ably inclined to its " beautiful principles." 

Such expressions are easily made, but not easily proven • 
and if proven, would not amount to much ; because " the 
brains of the world," a few years ago, more generally be- 
lieved in exploded witchcraft, than now in spiritism. But 
there is delusion about this matter ; in proof of which I 
give the testimony of Mr. Tebb, an English spiritist who 
traveled over this country, in order to ascertain the facts. 
Judge Edmonds had said the number was between five 
and six millions ; Dixon placed it at three millions ; War- 
ren Chase, at eight millions ; other parties at ten or eleven" 
millions. But Mr. Tebb, after a long and patient investi- 
gation, decided, that "including the children of believers, 
the whole number in the United States, is about 606,000." 
A mighty falling off is this, from the extravagant assertions 
of heated partisans. Over against this I take the liberty, 
simply as matter of information, of stating the statistics of 
our own denomination, which is only one of a magnificent 
galaxy of Christian denominations, each of which is glori- 
ously enlarging. "The Baptist Year Book" for 1872 
gives the following facts : 

Number of church members in the Uni;ed States, 1,689,- 
000; of churches, 18,000; ordained ministers, 12,000; 
gain, during 1871, 22 Associations ; 69,698 church mem- 
bers ; 1,195 preachers ; averaging 2 churclies, 3 ministers, 
and 190 new members for each day in the year. And I 
am satisfied that similar, and perhaps even greater prog- 
ress has been made by other evangelical denominations. 



A FORTY-OISrE YEARS' PASTORATE. 145 

Surely, some at least, of " the brains of the world " must 
be outside of spiritism ! 

Doubtless, it has made very considerable progress; but 
"why should it not? Mormonisra has made prodigious 
advance, and expects soon to see the world at its feet. 
There are multitudes of people who have no settled con- 
victions, who from different causes have become prejudiced 
against Christianity, and are utterly ignorant of even its 
first principles, and therefore, prepared to welcome any 
system which shall rival it. There are larsre numbers of 
backsliders, church members who have itching ears, and 
are regularly carried away by every new " ism " which 
appears ; and besides these there are hosts of people who 
are constitutionally superstitious — revel in the marvelous 
— to whom it is as natural as it is to breathe to believe in 
ghosts, and refer everything which is inexplicable to them, 
to "spirit manifestations." 

Moreover, what is the spiritism of to-day? Not a mere 
belief in the " possibility " of intercourse of the dead with 
the living; nay, that is only i\\e plausible nucleus around 
Avhich has gathered nearly all of the skepticism and unbe- 
lief, disaffection, and other antagonisms to Christianity, 
insomuch that it has come to .pass that in it the church 
of God now finds its open and only avowed antagonist, 
breathing out sneers and bitter invectives. I pause to 
ask what has become of " mesmerism," " clairvoyance," 
" biology," " psychology," " magnetism," and other " isms" 
which were so popular a short time ago? We hear no 
more of them. Spiritism has swallowed them all, appro- 
priates their operations to itself, and claims as its own all 

K 



146 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

their wonders ! When I take these facts into the account 
I am surprised that such a comparative few are enrolled 
in its wide-stretched ranks. It has been well remarked 
that " the philosophic Shakespeare pictures only the 
strongly excited as seeing and hearing ghosts, nervous ex- 
citement gradually being aroused in mind after mind, 
until many see the same." The majority of human beings 
have always shown this tendency. 

I feel the force of an inquiry which, I doubt not, has 
arisen in your mind. It is this : 

Admitting, what I do, as to the reality of much of the 
so-called "spirit phenomena," why do not all seek for 
knowledge through their agency ? Why do so many of 
the best, most stable portions of the community stand 
aloof, and refuse to countenance what is in this age called 
spiritualism ; in other ages under other forms — necro- 
mancy, witchcraft? 

Bear me witness, now, that I do not apply the oppro- 
brious terra, witch, to a modern medium. I do no such 
thing. Some of them are my personal friends, whose 
characters I respect, whose friendship I prize, and whose 
feelings I would not unnecessarily injure ; and I feel con- 
scious that nearly twenty-nine years residence in this city 
has convinced them that I am charitable in my feelings, 
and that I am kindly honorable to those who differ from 
me in their views. I beg you to observe that I do not say 
that modern mediums, in their social or moral characters, 
are for a moment to he classified with those wiched ones of 
old. All I say is, that it is my own conviction that one 
of the agencies employed by the woman of Endor and 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 147 

others of her class, was the same mesmeric or nervoua 
principle, iiibering as a natural element in certain condi- 
tions of the body and mind ; an element 'which, traceable 
through all history in varied developments — call it spiritual 
influence if you will, for it certainly is intermediate be- 
tween ordinary mind and matter — is the cause of these 
manifestations which they honestly think are caused by 
departed spirits. But then the question returns — " Why 
are they to be deplored f" I answer you honestly and 
candidly. Because the spiritists are mistaken m suppos- 
ing that the phenomena they witness are new, whereas, even 
our own country has been the scene of far stranger events. 
Consult " Mather's Magnalia," Book 6, pp. 69, 70, and 
you will find tliat, in the days of New England witchcraft, 
mysterious rappings were heard — scratchings on bedsteads 
— drumming on boards — voices — a frying-pan rang so 
loud tliat it was heard an hundred yards distant — sounds 
of steps, and clattering of chairs were heard in empty 
rooms — ignorant men spake in various languages — one 
little girl argued concerning death with paraphrases on 
the thirty-first Psalm, which amazed the people — they 
spoke Hebrew and Greek — and the mediums while thus 
doing closed their eyes — their frames were stiff — one person 
was said to have been drawn up by unseen power to the 
ceiling — violent convulsions, twitching of the muscles — oscil- 
lation of the body were the accompaniments. 

And what is remarkable in the analogy, Bancroft 
quotes from the diary of Mather this entry made after 
the witchcraft excitement, by which he was carried away, 
had died out : " I had temptations to Atheism, and to the 



148 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

abandonment of all religion as a delusion.'* Who can 
"W'onder at this? Similar results from yielding to such 
excitements strew the world's history. Such '' wax worse 
and worse, deceiving and being deceived." 

Read that chapter of American History, and you will 
see that when the nightmare of the delusion passed away, 
the delivered people cried : 

"See! they're gone. 

The earth has bubbles, as the waters have, 
And these were some of them ; they vanished 
Into air, and what seemed corporeal, 
Melted, as breath into the wind." 

They are mistaken, as Saul was, and the world has 
always been, in ascribing whatever was strange and to them 
inexplicable, to supernatural powers; whereas, advancing 
science has demonstrated that there are mysterious laws in 
our complex nature not yet fully understood, but which 
are amply adequate to account for all that has been seen 
or heard. Moreover, they make a sad mistake in arguing 
that because the Bible records instances of spiritual com- 
munications to men, that in this they find a probability in 
favor of their theory. But what communications are thus 
recorded? Those of angels sent by God on important 
errands ; not the spirits of the departed. 

Oh, I have one dear boy whose body now reposes in the 
grave, and whose darling soul is in heaven ; and from the 
depths of a stricken heart I say, " Let no one attempt to 
call him from the bosom of Jesus." Nay, I say of him as 
David said of his boy, " I shall go to him, but he shall not 
return to me." 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 149 

A fact recorded in 2 Chron. 21 : 12-17, has been used to 
prove that a communication has been received from a 
departed spirit. The record does not declare that the 
"writing" which came from Elijah to Jehoram was sent 
by him after his translation. 

The Books of Chronicles are a continuation of the Jewish 
history, and contain withal historic facts not given in the 
Books of Samuel and Kings, though synchronous with 
these. By reference to 2 Kings 1 : 17, it will be seen that 
Elijah lived at the same time as Jehoram, and in the ab- 
sence of any statement to the contrary, we are to conclude 
by every rule of historic interpretation, that the " writing," 
or letter from Elijah to Jehoram was sent while the former 
was yet on the earth. 

And nothing is plainer than that the Scriptures teach, 
that angels are a distinct order of intelligences. It has 
been thought that at least two passages favored the theory 
of communications from the spirits of the departed dead 
to the living. These are found in Rev. 19 : 9, 10, and 
22 : 8, 9 ; but the correct rendering of these verses gives 
no such meaning. The being who appeared is stated to 
have been an " angel." Chap. 22 : 8. Now, the proof 
that angels are not disembodied human spirits, is found in 
Hebrews 12: 22,23, where Paul classifies the "innumer- 
able company of angels," and 'Hhe spirits of just men men 
made perfect," as different orders of spiritual existences. 
This was one of the former ; and the true rendering of his 
words is — ''lam thy fellow servant" ; that is, I am engaged 
in serving God just as you are ; " and of thy brethren, the 
prophets" ; that is, I am also a fellow servant of thy 



150 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

brethren, the prophets. And like a true angel he directed 
attention away from himself, by saying " worship God," 
and as God's angels ever did, before this department of 
their services closed, at the completion of Revelation, and 
the coming of the Holy Spirit to teach, illuminate, and 
guide our souls — this angel bore his witness to our ador- 
able Christ, by affirming that " the testimony of Jesus is the 
spirit of prophecy.''^ 

We oppose them, because, believing as we do from his- 
tory and from science, that what is seen and heard is the 
result of a high state of nervous and magnetic excite- 
ment, it is highly injurious to the physical constitution. 
Kemember, your mediums are generally young girls, or 
highly excitable women, or, what is more pitiable, nervous 
men. Remember, that the more they attend circles where, 
in silence, this nervous magnetic principle is excited, the 
more deranged their nervous organizations become ; until, 
not unfrequently, wildness and even insanity is the result. 
It is dangerous to experiment with our nervous energy. 
We oppose them because we are forbidden to seek knowl- 
edge " from such sources." (Isaiah 8 : 19 ; Deut. 18 : 10, 
11,12.) Why? 

It is not thus to be obtained. It is a significant fact 
that all the literature of spiritism has not added a new 
thought to the world of mind. One of the ablest thinkers, 
calmest investigators, and best writers in America — I refer 
to Mr. Ripley of the New York Tribune, who is familiai-ly 
acquainted with the phenomena and literature of spirit- 
ism — in a withering review of Mr. Owen's last book, 
wrote the following as his convictions: "As illustrations 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 151 

of religious truth they (spirit communications) can never 
take the place of oracles of old ; as fictions of the imagi- 
nation they are inferior to the creations of romance ; and 
as expositions of scientific facts they are a folly and a 
snare. The hope of gaining increase of knowledge from 
such glamour is no less absurd than to study the princi- 
ples of motion in the mysteries of the Chinese puzzle." 
Mr. 0\Yen himself, in that very book, says, " that exclu- 
sive devotion to spiritual influences produces a vague and 
heavy literature in which common sense has no part." 

Moreover, spiritism is now chiefly employed in destroy- 
ing confidence in the Bible, and promulgating exploded 
heresies. 

I am aware that a great many good people, honest peo- 
ple, do not believe this. They hear spiritists proclaiming 
that they love the Bible " a thousand times " more than 
they did when they professed religion. But, what next? 
You hear from the same lips the most bitter sarcasms — 
the fiercest denunciations — the keenest ridicule — the most 
strenuous denials — of portions of the same Bible. You 
hear vauntingly proclaimed, as if they were new, the 
charges made by infidels, ages agone, against the Scrip- 
tures, which have been triumphantly answered a thousand 
times. 

Moreover, we oppose spiritism because it is becoming, 
in my judgment, the fruitful source of other errors. I 
believe that " Free-loveism " is simply spiritism gone to 
seed. Wliat is thatf It is the doctrine of which Victoria 
Woodhull is the leading exponent and advocate. She 
declared it, not when she presided in this city, over " The 



152 A FORTY-Oi^E YEARS' PASTORATE. 

National Convention " of spiritists, but in a public meet- 
ing in New York, where she affirmed, — " Yes, I am a free 
lover ! I believe I have an inalienable right to change 
my husband every day, if I like. I trust I am under- 
stood ; for I mean what I say, and I say what I mean." 

Now, I do not say that all spiritists are free-lovers. I 
know they are not. Many of them despise this doctrine 
as much as we do. But I do say that the leading free- 
lovers are spiritists. And until spiritism excludes these 
people — as churches exclude their heretics, fallen minis- 
ters and members — it will be held responsible for their 
doctrine, and it ought to be. Is it not remarkable that 
the Bible foretells exactly these times, people, and doctrines f 

I quote 1 Timothy 4: 1, 2, 3: " Now the Spirit speak- 
eth expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart 
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doc- 
trines of devils ; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their 
consciences seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry." 

This '' ism " has lately been loudly both decrying and 
praising the Bible. Now, the Bible says, " If any of you 
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men lib- 
erally and upbraideth not." Spiritism directs us, in opposi- 
tion, to seek it of disembodied spirits. Christianity holds up 
the Lord Jesus Christ as the great Revealer of God and 
duty to man. Spiritism degrades him to the place occu- 
pied by thousands of other mediums, and then believes his 
testimony regarding himself, ^Yhen he declares, ''All power 
is given unto me in heaven and in earth." "All things 
are delivered untomeof my Father." " That all men should 
honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." " All judg- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 153 

raent is cominitled unto the Son." " And I, if I be lifted up 
from the earth,, will draw alL men unto me." " Come unto me, 
all ye that labor and are heavy laden." Spiritism ignores 
the Holy Spirit; of whom the Lord Jesus said, " I will 
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 
that he may abide with you forever." ''He shall teach yon 
all things, and bring to your remembrance whatsoever I 
have said unto you." He is called " the Spirit of Truth, 
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, 
neither knoweth him; but ye know him, because he 
dwelleth in you, and shall be in you." " He will guide 
you into all truth.^^ Here is the genuine spiritualism of 
the Bible. Oh that men would seek Ihe Divine Spirit — 
his illumination, his guidance, consolations in their 
sorrows, directions in their perplexities! Did not the 
Lord say, " If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good' 
gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heav- 
enly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ash him f " 

Spiritism practically ignores prayer to God, one of 
whose sweetest titles is — " Hearer of prayer." It substi- 
tutes in place of it, invocations to departed human spirits, 
the most of whose so-called communications demonstrate 
that instead of " progressing " they have retrograded in 
sense, in taste, and in ability. Mr. Gardner, one of its 
leaders and ablest advocates, publicly declared in " the 
National Convention." held in this citv, that he " wanted 
no more praying to Jupiter, Josh, Jehovah, or any other 
imaginarv God." 

Finally it does no practical good. What hospital or 
asylum for the poor, sick, or degraded has it founded? 



154 A FOETY-OXE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

where are the drunkards it has reformed ? the degraded 
it has elevated ? the ignorant it has instructed ? where 
are the families it has made holier, happier, more benevo- 
lent and useful ? Are not its energies directed, not against 
the rampant vices of our city, but against our Bible, our 
churches, our ministers, our Christianity ? Is it not for- 
ever arguing, debating, contending, instead of preaching 
" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good- 
will toward men," and laboring to make men purer, better, 
more charitable, and more beneficent? Is not its animus 
arrogant, pretentious, illiberal, denunciatory, fierce? I 
affirm that it has made no good man or woman better ; 
and that it has made many others more conceited, more 
self-complacent, more uncharitable towards those who 
differ from them, than ever they were before. It loudly 
professes liberality, and yet is most intolerant, illiberal, 
and bigoted itself. " Ye shall know them by their fruits. 
Do men gather grapes of thorns ? or figs of thistles ? Even 
so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a cor- 
rupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit J' 

Tell me honestly whether true science, developing the 
deep principles of nature, which is God's elder Scripture, 
does not supply all our material wants? Tell me hon- 
estly and truly, ye who know what there is — for many 
there are who do not — in spiritual Christianity, genuine 
Bible religion, God's later Scripture, what hope, what 
fear, what desire, what want, what yearning of our soul 
it does not supply, in its sublime revealments of God, of 
man, of law, of gospel, of time, of eternity ? 

O Bible Christianity! sure word of prophecy — lamp of 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 155 

our feet — guide of our way — illuminator of our reason 
and of the great mysteries of Providence and eternity ; 
blessed Christianity ! sealed by the blood of the Son of 
God, attested by genuine miracles, signets of the Almighty 
■ — confirmed by the testimony of millions of bleeding 
martyrs and the history of eighteen centuries ; precious 
Christianity! thou soother of human sorrows; thou sup- 
port when all else fails ; guide of wayward youth ; staff 
of tottering age, victor over death ; opener of heaven ; 
with the pious of earth and the ransomed of glory, I bow 
my soul before thee in humilitv, in awe, in thankso:ivino: : 
for thou art the hope of humanity, the originator of all 
noble reforms and generous charities. Thou art our sun ; 
and all other lights 

" Lead but to bewilder, and dazzle to blind." 
Thou art our rock, and all is sea beside. It is the boast 
of spiritism that the numbers of professors of religion 
are decreasintr ; that in a few vears the Bible will be 
merely an antiquated relic of the past ; that Christian 
churches will be broken up, Christian sanctuaries con- 
verted into halls for exhibitions. Its leaders at least are 
resolved that if these results are not reached, it shall not 
be their fault. What awaits us in this regard in the 
future, I know not. That Christianity is to be attacked 
more fiercely than ever before ; that there will be a great 
falling off" of nominal professors; that the Christian 
church will be sifted, — the prophecies of my Bible assure 
me. For aught I know Christianity may again, as in the 
past, suffer a temporary defeat, and error seem to have 
the ascendancy. But I do know that — 



156 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

** Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again ; 
The eternal years of God are hers ! " 

I do know that the once crucified but now glorified 
Jesus, the friend of the poor, the needy, the oppressed of 
all mankind, on whose immaculate brow triumphant error 
once wreathed the crown of thorns, shall yet wear the 
resplendent crown of all the earth — shall see of the travail 
of his soul in a regenerated humanity, a redeemed world, 
and be satisfied. I do know, that though I myself may 
apostatize, though all professors may turn their backs on 
true religion, and wander after every " ism " that may 
start up and draw its thousands after it, that still " He 
shall have a seed to serve him"; that still in this very 
world in whose soil his gory cross was planted, whose air 
was vocal w^ith his death-groans ! yea, this* earth, the 
scene of his ignominy, shall yet be the theatre of the 
glory of his conquering grace ; and as it revolves in its 
orbit, shall send up to the throne of the God of the Bible, 
anthems of praise loud as seven thunders, and melodious 
as the choruses of eternity -trained angels. 

One thing is certain, as Milton has beautifully said, in 
his Christmas Hymn : 

"The oracles are dumb ; 

No voice or hideous hum 
Euns through the arched roof in words deceiving, 

Apollo from his shrine 

Can no more divine 
With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving ; 

No nightly trance or breathed spell 

Inspires the pale-eyed priests from the prophetic cell." 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS PASTORATE. 157 

The heathen oracle is no more, the ^Yitchcraft of past 
days is no more — in that form; delusions wliich have be- 
clouded the minds of men are fast disappearing before 
true science and true relii^ion : but " Beware lest anv man 
spoil you, through philosophy and vain deceit, after the 
traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and 
not after Christ." 



XIV. 

WHIPPING CHURCHES. 



I once met, near our church, a minister from a 
neighboring locality. He was a fine looking gentle- 
man, dressed in the most approved style of clerical 
propriety, carried a gold-headed cane, and his entire 
appearance clearly advertised his profession. After 
ordinary salutations, he inquired how it was that I 
" had managed to stay so long in one church." I 
responded that I was not conscious of having " man- 
aged " in any way, to that end ; but had simply 
striven to be a ffood Christiau mvself, and be kindlv 
helpful to all. He raised his cane, as if about to 
strike an object, and said : 

" You are making a mistake. These churches are like 
dogs ; the more you whip them the better they will love and 
obey youP 

I was so amazed, that my reply was sadly behind 



158 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

the occasion ; and it has been a matter of permanent 
regret that, despite his seniority, I had not told him 
that there were dogs which, if they were stricken, 
would not only bark, but bite ; and showed him how 
diametrically opposite to the spirit of the gospel his 
coarse expression was. I watched his subsequent record, 
and found that his pastorates — Presbyterian though he 
was — averaged about four years. How differently 
Paul wrote on the same subject. He said : " I have 
made myself a servant unto all, that I might gain the 

more To the weak became I as weak, that I 

might gain the weak. I am made all things to all 
men, that I might by all means save some.^' '^ Even 
as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine 
own profit, but the profit of many ; that they may be 
saved.'^ " We were gentle among you." " We ex- 
horted and comforted you, as a father does his chil- 
dren.'^ "Giving no offence in anything, that the 
ministry be not blamed." 



XY. 

MAJOR DE GOLYER. — ^A STORY OF THE WAR. 

We cannot forget the shock of mortified disappoint- 
ment felt, when the news of the defeat of our army 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 159 

at Bull E,im reached u?. It was kuowii that Samuel 
De Golyer, a brother of one of our deacons, was in 
that disastrous battle ; but no news of him could be 
obtained during succeeding weeks and months, and we 
concluded that he must have been slain. Again and 
again I thought of preaching a memorial sermon, in 
memory of the Christian soldier; but the possibility 
of his being in a Southern prison restrained me. He 
having lived nearly all his life in the West, I had 
never met him personally. One Lord's Day I 
preached from this text : ^' TJicfn were the disciples glad 
whefii they saw the LordJ^ (John 20: 20.) The sermon 
was chiefly devoted to depicting the circumstances in 
which we are " glad '^ to see those we love, such as — 
when we have been separated for a long time, when 
the person from whom we have been separated has 
been exposed to direful perils, and specially, if we had 
mourned him as dead — which was the case of the dis- 
ciples. 1 had noticed a stranger in the De Golyer 
pew; but did not give him a second thought. At 
the close of the service our deacon brought him to me, 
and introduced his brother, whom we had been long 
sorrowing for as dead. The strange appropriateness 
of the text to the circumstances, so united our hearts, 
that quite a warm relation was at once established 
between us. 



160 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

During the siege of Vicksburg, while in com- 
mand of a battery, his bravery was so conspicuous, 
that General Logan, his Division Commander, compli- 
mented him on the field. Later in the conflict his 
thigh was shattered by a cannon-ball, and he was 
borne to his home in Hudson, Michigan, where after 
having bravely endured inexpressible sufferings, he 
died in the triumphs of faith. He left a request that 
I should preach his funeral sermon. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church ; but because of his 
pastor's supposed sympathy with the South, a decided 
coolness had grown between his minister and the 
enthusiastic soldier. That, doubtless, was one reason 
for the dying request that I should officiate at the 
funeral. It is difficult now to realize the excitement 
in a country village, caused by a military funeral in 
war time. Business was, by general consent, sus- 
pended, and it seemed as if the population of the 
entire surrounding country had gathered in the place 
of worship to pay reverent honor to their fellow- 
citizen, of whose integrity of character, and heroism 
in battle, they were justly proud. 

I disrress to relate an incident, the memorv of 
which always excites my risibility. At the house, 
before the funeral, a large number of friends were 
assembled, among whom were ministers of all denomi- 



A FORTY-ONE YEAKS^ PASTORATE. 161 

nations. One of them, who was a Baptist, came and 
sat beside me, with whom substantially the following 
conversation ensued : 

" You are from Troy, New York ? '' 

I replied that I was. 

" Do you know a Baptist minister there of your 
name ? " 

At once I saw that he had been led into what 
was a very natural mistake. The dead hero was 
a Methodist. The funeral was to be in a Metho- 
dist church ; and of course the preacher on this occa- 
sion must be of the same denomination. To his 
inquiry, I told him that I was intimately acquainted 
with the person to whom he referred, and could truth- 
fully say that I thought just as highly of him as 
he deserved. 

" Weiy he said, '^ is he not worthy of being very 
highly thought of? Out here among our people, many 
of whom have read his books, and all of whom are 
familiar with his name, we think him one of our 
foremost, smartest ministers!'' 

^' Brother," I replied, " I am the last man in this 
world to do him injustice ; but truth compels me to 
say — that he is doubtless a good man, an average 
preacher, a faithful pastor; but he has no special talent 
or attainment, and is more indebted to favoring provi- 



162 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

dences, and the kindness of God's people, than any 
other man I know of/' 

My hearer was amazed. I could act my part no 
longer, but laughingly told him that he might rest 
assured that what I had said was true, because I was 
myself the person of whom we had been talking ! 

The pastor had made the mistake of not visitiug 
his fatally wounded church member, simply because 
he had not been invited to do so. Neither did he 
come to the house, at the services there. As the great 
procession neared the church, I asked the friend who 
walked with me to point out the Methodist prea,cher, 
if by chance he saw him at any time in the crowd. 
There was a pause in our march ; and my friend indi- 
cated that a fine-looking gentleman, standing as a spec- 
tator on the side -walk, was he. Leaving the ranks I 
went to him, and extending my hand, told him who I 
was and why I had come hundreds of miles to perform 
the service requested by a dying Christian brother, 
some of whose relatives were members of my church, 
and to whom I was strongly attached. I told him 
that I keenly sympathized with him in his peculiar 
position on this occasion ; but hoped that for the honor 
of our common Christianity, he would himself " endure 
hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." In a 
decidedly cold voice, he replied : 



A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 163 

*' Sir, I have been treated badly throughout this 
whole affair ; but, what is it that you waut me to 

*' Please brother," I responded, "give me your arm, 
walk with me in the procession, and open the services 
in vour own church/^ 

In a decidedly cool manner he did as requested. 
The church was packed. Its open windows crowded 
outside. The pulpit was so full of ministers, that I 
had merely standing room while preaching. The 
Lord helped me very graciously, and during the ser- 
mon I do not remember of once thinkins; of the 
pastor, who sat directly behind me. Immediately at 
the end of the church service, I was compelled to 
leave, in order to meet an imperative engagement at 
home, and turning around in the pulpit to shake 
hands with him at parting, I was melted at what I 
saw. Currents of tears were streaming down his 
cheeks. His large, manly form was trembling with 
emotion, and unable to say a word, he extended a 
warm hand to me, and in broken accents, I said : 

" Dear brother, farewell. We shall never meet again 
on earth ; but if at the final Judgment day, our 
glorified Judge wants additional evidence, I will then 
and there testify, that you have acted to-day worthy 
of your profession and your Lord." 



164 A f()rty-o:n'e yeaks' pastorate. 

xy. 

RELATIONS TO TEMPEEANCE. 

" The ravages of intemperance are greater than the 
combined ravages of war, pestilence, and famine." — 
W. E. Gladstone. 

In 1879, these " ravages ^' became so alarming in 
our city that all good citizens felt that some united 
effort must be made to arrest them. It was finallv 
agreed to commence a regular campaign in our City 
Hall, and secure Francis Murphy, and those sweet 
singers, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, to conduct it. Of all 
men, Murphy was God's man for the place, the time, 
the work. He says : ^' I preach ^ gospel temperance/ 
because it teaches the power of kindness, love, and 
the sympathy of the blessed Saviour and his people 
to deliver the drunkard from the chains that bind 
him, and lead him into the paths of peace, virtue, and 
religion.'' He believes, as I do, that the only basis of 
hope for permanent salvation from the sin of intem- 
perance is identical with that of salvation from all 
sin, which is truth addressed to the mind, and grace 
experienced in the heart, which leads to the personal 
prohibition of everything that is wrong in itself, or 
harmful to others. He believes, as I do, that the 
efforts of Christians ought to be chiefly projected on 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 165 

the line of personal efforts to save persons endangered 
by the drinking habit, because there are sufficient 
legal enactments on our law books relating to this 
matter, which are entirely inoperative, from being 
unsustained by public sentiment; and that we ought 
therefore to work chiefly for the rectiflcatiou of that 
sentiment, while as citizens we do what we can, by 
our votes, for the immediate restriction of the liquor 
traffic, in hope of preparing the way for its ultimate 
prohibition. 

Mr. Murphy is accustomed to say that he " does 
the largest business on the smallest capital of any 
man in the United States." In some sense that is 
true; in one it is not. In all my acquaintance with 
men, I never met one who seemed to be so constantly 
permeated by the genuine Christian spirit as he was. 
That is the most efficient " capital " possible to 
humanity. During that entire campaign, which con- 
tinued through several months, our church gave up 
its Sunday evening services, and with its pastor did 
all he could to sustain our leader. One result was 
that some seven thousand took the total abstinence 
pledge ; and many were converted, and some are now 
efficient church members. In illustration of one 
method of working, I relate the following fact : 

A young lady of our church, with two female com- 



1QQ A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

panions, sat in the crowded gallery of the hall during 
one of the meetings. The address had been deliv- 
ered, and such an appeal as I have heard from no 
other lips, been made. Near these ladies sat a ragged, 
haggard victim of intemperance. Nobody went near 
him. Finally our young sister left her seat, and said, 
in her kindest tones : 

^' Please go down stairs, and take the pledge." 

The wretched man was astonished at being spoken 
to by an elegantly dressed young lady, but roused 
himself, and said : 

" I will, if you will go with me ! " 

And before that vast audience she accompanied that 
wretched-looking specimen of degraded humanity 
down the stairs, up through the central aisle, stood by 
him until he signed the pledge, tied on his tattered 
coat the blue ribbon, and then resumed her seat. 
That man kept his pledge while lie remained in 
Troy; and when he removed to another locality he 
wrote a letter to her, assuring her of his steadfastness 
in the new life, that he was comfortably supporting 
his family, all of whom joined in heartiest thanksgiv- 
ing to the Christian young woman, who had saved 
them from degradation and want. Does not the 
blessed Master say to all of us — " Go, and do thou 
likewise " ? 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 167 

xyi. 

A BAPTIST BISHOP. 

In all Northern New York there was no minister 
of any denomination during many years, so generally 
and favorably known as J. O. Mason, d. d., pastor 
of the Baptist Church at Greenwich, Washington 
County. His pastorate began in the spring of 1844, 
and mine began in the suuimer of the same year. 
For more than thirty years he was not only the 
beloved pastor of that church, but practically the 
'^Bishop'' of all our churches throughout the adjoin- 
ing country. His dignified personal appearance, his 
serene, gentle. Christian spirit, eminent practical wis- 
dom, patient firmness, and deep experience ; his con- 
stant consecration and fine preaching abilities, secured 
for him, not only the deepest love of his own church, 
and the confidence of all Christians of all churches, 
but the profoundest respect of everybody, 'whatever 
their views of Christianity might be. Because of his 
rare qualifications, and as expressive of their appre- 
ciation of him, he was annually chosen Moderator of 
his Association, just as long as his health would allow 
him to perform its duties. In beautiful symmetry of 
character, he was exceptional ; and so was his pro- 
tracted success in his ministry. When enfeebled by 



168 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

disease, he resigned the office he had held during 
more tlian a generation ; his model church refused to 
accept the resignation, and proposed to provide an 
assistant for him. He heartily united with them in 
calling E,ev. Thomas Cull to become '^Associate Pas- 
tor." With a Christian magnanimity I have never 
known surpassed, the brother refused the position 
offered him, insisted that Dr. Mason alone should be 
'' the pastor " while he lived, and was himself con- 
tented to become the assistant of the grand old man. 
By that unselfish act he at once secured a place in the 
confidence and love of that entire community, such as 
he could not have obtained in years in any other way; 
and it is no wonder that his pastoral success in that 
field has been constant. By it he magnified the pas- 
toral office, honored our adorable Lord, and has 
demonstrated that in the kingdom of Christ, "He 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted." After much 
physical suffering, in a good old age, the bishop went 
" to his grave like a shock of corn fully ripe for the 
harvest." At his funeral I preached from Phil. 1:3: 
"/ thanli God upon efvery remembrance of youP 

After the interment of his body, amid a crowd of 
mourners — for everybody was a mourner at that 
funeral — many sympathizers came to his widow, who 
was leaning on my arm, and spoke the most apprecia- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. J 09 

tive words conceriiino; her husband. She listened to 
them all in tearful silence ; but when they were all 
gone, she exclaimed : " Oh, if they had only said some 
of those kind words to my dear husband himself how 
they would have cheered and comforted him! " 

Who does not make the sentiment of this poem his 
own? 

" If I should die to-night, 
My friends would call to mind, with loving thought, 
Some kindly deed the icy hand had wrought. 
Some gentle word the frozen lips had said — 
Errands on which the willing feet had sped. 
The memory of my selfishness and pride, 
My hasty words, would all be put aside, 
And so I should be loved and mourned to-night. 

"If I should die to night, 
Even hearts estranged would turn once more to me, 
Recalling other days remorsefully. 
The eyes that chill me with averted glance 
Would look upon me as of yore, perchance, 
And soften in the old familiar way : 
For who would war with dumb, unconscious clay? 
So I might rest, forgiven of all to-night. 

"O friends, I pray to-night, 
Keep not your kisses for my dead, cold brow. 
The way is lonely ; let me feel them now. 
Think gently of me ; I am travel-worn. 
My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn. 
Forgive ! O hearts estranged, forgive, I plead I 
When ceaseless bliss is mine, I shall not need 
The tenderness for which 1 long to-night." 



170 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

XVII. 

A MrtTISTER "WHO COULD NOT DO A MEAN THING. 

Among tlie last of our more prominent ministers, 
who has ascended from the toils of the church mili- 
tant to the glories of the church triumphant, was 
E. L. Magoon, d. d., of Philadelphia. The pulpit and 
press have paid glowing tributes to the purity of his 
personal character, variety of his attaiuments, splen- 
dor of his enthusiasm on his special lines, superiority 
of his powers of descriptive eloquence, and his per- 
petual devotion to truth and duty. He was my 
neighbor for seven years while pastor in Albany, and 
personal friend during more than thirty years. I bear 
testimony that I never heard him speak unkindly of 
a brother in the ministry, or express a harsh judg- 
ment upon one of them, even when their conduct was 
open to criticism, or upon their performances, even 
when they were not meritorious. He was full of rich 
generosities, and delighted in helping others. Invited 
to come from Philadelphia, and assist at the funeral 
of Dr. Welch, he responded : 

"I will go five hundred miles any time to attend 
the funeral of a minister who could not do a mean 
thing." 

He had the intensest abhorrence of any conduct 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. J 71 

which was vitiated by meanness. It was morally 
impossible for him to be guilty of a "mean" act. In 
very truth, he was " a man in Christ Jesus." 

Karely has a more pathetic and characteristic scene 
been witnessed than that which occurred at Saratoga, 
which for many years was his favorite vacation resort, 
and where he was universally popular, a few years 
before his ascension. He had resigned his pastorate, 
and had become so enfeebled that he did not often 
attend public worship. One Lord's Day the minister 
who had engaged to preach in the First Baptist 
Church in that place, for some cause failed to meet 
his engagement. The congregation was assembling; 
and the brethren hastened to Congress Hall, and 
besought the patriarch to help them in the emergency 
by going to the church, and saying a few words as he 
pleased. They knew that his venerable presence was 
worth more to the people than a sermon from any 
ordinary man. He went and preached with much of 
his former unction and fervor. Upon his return to 
the hotel, it was observed that he acted strangely; 
and such was the alarm produced, that his friends 
were telegraphed to come to him immediately. When 
they came on Monday, they found him very weak, 
but having no recollection of what had transpired on 
the previous day; and when told of it, he asked : 



172 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

*' Is it true ? Did I go to church and preach yes- 
terday? I do not remember having done either." 
Wlien assured of the facts, his grand eyes filled with 
tears, and in a trembling voice he said : " Brethren, 
did I by word or act dishonor my adorable Lord ? " 
When answered that, on the contrary, he had honored 
his Lord, and greatly benefited his people, he joyfully 
exclaimed : " Well, then, I don't care anything about 
it. All is right." 



XVIII. 

A mlssionaey's legacy. 



J. M. Haswell, d. d., was a successful missionary 
in Burmah during more than forty years. Dr. Jud- 
son said that " he was one of the most apostolic men 
he ever knew." He came from Vermont when a boy 
to our city, and became connected with our Sunday- 
school. There he was converted, and licensed to 
preach by our church ; they sustained him during his 
entire course at Hamilton. He retained his church 
connection with us during all his life. His sou, Rev. 
J. H. Haswell, who followed him so successfully in 
his mission work, and died so prematurely, was also 
ordained in our church ; and his daughter. Miss Susie 
Hasvvell, who ranks among our most useful missiona- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 173 

ries in foreign fields, is still a member with us. 
Through these honored and beloved missionaries our 
people have enjoyed living connections with foreign 
missions. When the 3^ounger Haswell was dying, he 
said : 

*^ I shall leave an indebtedness of some three hun- 
dred dollars, which my family will be unable to pay ; 
but I am sure that the dear old church in Troy will 
pay it." 

The next steamer that sailed after we learned this 
fact took a gold draft from our people which canceled 
that indebtedness. Just before the venerable father 
died, he called his family around his bed, and said 
to them : 

" Beloved, 1 am about to leave you. My work is 
done. But before I go I wish to give you a legacy ; 
and if it shall prove as rich a source of consolation 
and inspiration to you in the future, as it has been to 
me amid all the toils and trials of the past, it will be 
worth more to you than any earthly property. You 
will find it in Phil. 4 : 6, 7 : 'Be careful for nothing; 
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto 
God ; and the peace of God, which passeth all under- 
standing, shall keep your hearts and minds through 
Christ Jesus." 



174 A rOKTY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

XIX. 



NEIGHBOHrNTG PASTOBS. 



" Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren 
to dwell together in unity." 

" I am a companion of all them that fear thee." 

" O brother man ! fold to thy heart thy brother ! 

Where kindness dwells, the peace of God is there ; 
To worship rightly is to love each other, 
Each smile a hymn, each gen'rous deed a prayer." 

It has always been an article of my private creed 
that any religion which does not make its professor a 
good neighbor, is of inappreciable value. The second 
great commandment is : ^' Thou shalt love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself.'' Of the ancient pious, it is recorded : 
" They helped every one his neighbor, and every one 
said to his brother, Be of good courage.'' Paul said: 
" Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to 
edification/' Of this grace, assuredly ministers, espe- 
cially neighboring pastors, ought to be exemplifications. 
Are we not all brethren, called by the same Lord to the 
same work ? Can we hope to see unity of feeling and 
co-operation in action among our people, and so demon- 
strate the essential unity of our common Christianity, 
unless we practically love each other? Can we not 
be loyal to our churches, and, at the same time, be 
helpful to each other? What if we bear different 



A FORTY-OXE YEARs' PASTORATE. 175 

denominational names, and hold different theological 
doctrines — is it not true that our church connections 
and beliefs have been largely determined by our dif- 
ferent social environments and educations; and ought 
not this fact to make us charitable toward each other's 
positions and opinions ? Did not our adorable Lord 
say to his first ministers: "A new commandment I 
give unto you, that ye love one another; as I 
have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this 
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye 
have love one to another?'' (John 13 : 34, 35.) Did 
he not pray, " That they all may be one ; as thou, 
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may 
be one in us : that the world may believe that thou 
hast sent me? ''(John 17 : 21.) 

Assuredly, of all Christians, ministers ought to 
sing most heartily : 

" Blest be the tie that binds 

Our hearts in Christian love ; 
The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above." 

Canon Farrar said of all Christians : " We might 
co-operate in all common work — infinite in its range — 
the work of the Church Militant, of the Church Pas- 
toral, of the Church Beneficent, and of the Church 
Evangelistic. We might co-operate in all fraternal 



176 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

sympathy always, banishing all pride, all jealousy; 
speaking the truth in love, endeavoring to keep the 
unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace — 

"Remembering our dear Lord, who died for all; 
And musing on the little lives of men — 
And how they mar that little by their feuds." 

Toward this ideal I have striven. Of course, 
affinity brought me nearer to some than to others ; 
but 1 have aimed at maintaining fraternal relations 
with all the pastors of all the churches, irrespective 
of differences in belief or politics. It was a grateful 
arrangement of Providence by which my Seminary 
colleague, C. P. Sheldon, D. D., became Pastor of the 
Fifth Street Baptist Church in Troy ; and I record 
with great pleasure the fact that during the nineteen 
years of his successful pastorate, our relations were 
fraternal, harmonious, and helpful. The following 
are the names of the beloved, honored, and useful 
neighboring pastors, who have died during the past 
forty-one years : Beman, Wadsworth, Smalley, De 
Witt, Halley, Clark, Garnet, and Prince, of the Pres- 
byterian Church ; Van Kleek, Coit, and Harrison, of 
the Episcopal Church ; Wentworth, D. Brown, Bid- 
w^ell, Coleman, George Brown, and Hurlburt, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church ; Taylor, of the Univer- 
salist Church ; Pierpont, of the Unitarian Church ; 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 177 

Drum, of the Roman Catholic Church ; Howard, 
Warren, AValden, and Matison, of the Baptist 
Cliurch. "Blessed are the dead which die in the 
Lord from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that 
they may rest from their labors, and their works do 
follow them." 

In his later years, the apostolic John Wesley wrote : 
" I am sick of mere opinions. Give me a man full 
of faith, good works, and mercy, without partiality — a 
man who will lay himself out in the work of faith, 
the labor of love, and the patience of hope. Let my 
soul be with all such Christians — wheresoever thev 
may be, and whatsoever opinions they may hold." 
And to every word of that I say, " Amen." To ray- 
self, I put it thus : Any human being, who will be 
loyal to the Lord Jesus Christ — as he understands 
Christ — is my brother, and I will recognize him as 
such anv where, at auv time. For the crreat and o;ood 
Mark Hopkins, D. D., wrote : " He that saith that 
Christ is * Lord ' is orthodox, for he acknowledges his 
divinity; and he who intelligently saith, ^Lord,' ^Lord,' 
is pious. But neither orthodoxy or piety is sufficient 
— there must be practical obedience to the Father's 
W'ill." And I add, where there is such obedience, 
according to their understanding of that will, there is 
essential Christianity. Oli, if there could be more 

M 



178 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

public recognitioD of this essentiality', how much it 
would do 

"To gather and knit togetlier 
The family of God." 

Wendell Phillips truthfully said; "No one really 
believes his opinions who does not give free scope to 
those who hold their opposites. Persecution is a lack 
of faith in one's creed.^' 

In a late sermon by that royal preacher, Dr. Park- 
hurst, of New York, occurs this startling and sug- 
gestive passage : '^ Martin Luther would have stood 
no more chance of receiving^ an unanimous ordination 
from our New York Presbvterv, than of beino- elected 
to the Papacy by the E-oman Catholic Cardinalate. 
And still the old heretic, with his ragged Bible, out 
of which he had fiercely torn the whole of the Epistle 
of James, did more to precipitate the kingdom of 
heaven than our whole Synod could do — conservatives 
and progressives all pulling together/^ 



XX. 

denomestationaij progress. 



The progress of our denomination during this pas- 
torate has been wonderful. The two churches which 
were in Troy in 1844 now occupy large, new, beauti- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTOR A.TE. 179 

ful edifices, free from debt, and are more than four- 
fold stronger in all the elements of church efficiency 
than they were, besides having organized three new 
churches, all of which are flourishing. The territory 
then occupied by " The Hudson River Baptist Asso- 
ciation " is now covered by four "Associations." The 
old body was organized in 1815, and included some 
of the largest churches and most eminent ministers in 
the United States. The last session was held in 
June, 1850, when a separation took place. The 
interest of the occasion drew an immense audience to 
the Norfolk Street Church, in New York. The 
hereditary rivalry between the North and the South 
developed itself, in a friendly way, in the choice of a 
Moderator. The South put in nomination Rev. 
Edward Lathrop; the North, the Pastor of the First 
Troy Church. The latter was elected, and was nearly 
frightened out of his wits by being called to preside 
over such an august assembly. " The Hudson River 
Baptist Association, North/' was soon after organ- 
ized, and the same pastor elected its first Moderator. 
Our general progress may be approximatively con- 
ceived by the statistics of our three National Societies. 
The receipts of the American Baptist Home Mis- 
sion Society in 1844 were |13,401.76. For the year 
ending May, 1887, they were ^552,003.47. The uum- 



ISO A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

ber of its missionaries in 1844 was 73; in 1886-87, 
678. Its operations extend through. 45 States and 
Territories; also in British Cohnnbia, Alasi^a, and 
Mexico. In 1844, there was but one German Baptist 
Church in the country; last year there were 153 mis- 
sionaries, and about 20,000 Baptists among the for- 
eign populations. The Society maintains 17 schools 
among the Freed men and the Indians, the value of 
whose property is about 1630,000, the Society itself 
holding the title to school property valued at |350,- 
000. It has expended about $1,500,000 for mission- 
ary and educational work for the Freedmen in the 
South, and about $5,000,000 for all purposes. It has 
aided 843 churches in the erection of houses of wor- 
ship. Its permanent trust funds for general and 
church edifice work amount to about $400,000. Over 
3,000 pupils were instructed in its schools last year. 
Since its organization, 103,214 baptisms have been 
reported by its missionaries. 

The receipts of our "Missionary Union," in 1844, 
were $74,409.00. In 1886, they were $552,314.67. 
Then it had 111 missionaries and assistants. In 
1885 it had 1,720 missionaries; has now 1,160 
churches in Asia and Europe, with a membership of 
117,491. During the past year it has sent out 22 
new missionaries, and baptized 5,370. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 181 

In 1841, the receipts of " The American Baptist 
Publication Society^' were $11,151.60. In 1887, they 
were $624,140.43. It has now 78 missionaries, and 
its operations extend, not only through the United 
States, but also to Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, 
Turkey, and Armenia. Its Business Department last 
year printed 24,156,044 copies of books, tracts, and 
periodicals, and not only paid all of its own expenses, 
but made a large contribution to its Missionary De- 
partment, so that all donations from individuals, 
Sundav-schools, and churches to its funds are sacredlv 
devoted to its missionary work. The increase of its 
Business Department last year was $47,644.89. Its 
Bible Department expended $15,972.41 in giving the 
Holy Scriptures to the destitute. The average daily 
issues of this Society for the year were in all its pub- 
lications 1,483,000 pages 16mo. H. H. Tucker, D. D., 
one of our ablest ministers in the South, editor of 
"The Christian Index,'^ declares this Society to be 
" the greatest Baptist power in the world.'' 

During this same period, four general Baptist 
** Women's Missionary Societies" have been organized, 
with auxiliaries in all parts of our country. The 
receipts of these, last year, were $35,691. 

There were, in 1885, in the United States, of regular 
Baptists, 28,953 churches; 16,191 ordained ministers; 



182 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

2,572,238 church members, of which 160,000 were 
added last year ; 7 theoloiz-Ical semiuaries, 29 universi- 
ties and colleges, 23 female seminaries, 37 co educa- 
tional schools, and 15 for freed men. We have also 
91 newspapers and reviews. 

Rev. A. C. Osborn, D. d., who is famed for his 
statistical knowledge and accuracy, gives the following 
summary: 

This, at least, is certain, that the offerings and receipts 
of our churches for one year, according to the latest 
official figures, for strictly missionary purposes — for the 
direct and immediate work of bringing to men a knowl- 
edge of the gospel of the Son of God — were $1,671,736; 
that the offerings of our churches for other forms of 
Christian benevolence, over and above the support of the 
local churches, were $1,914,442; and that the offerings 
of our churches /or local church support were $4,924,553, 
making a grand total of ascertained and reported offer- 
ings from our churches for one year of $8,513,503. 



XXII. 

HOW LIFE LOOKS AT SIXTY. 
SEHMOJSr. 
" Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath 
preserved my spirit." — Job 10 : 12. 

During many years, it has been a slowly forming pur- 
pose in my heart that if I should live to reach ray six- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS* PASTORATE. J 83 

tieth birthday, I would commemorate it by preaching a 
sermon on how life might appear to me then. On the 
21st of October, 1877, this " favor" is granted me. The 
providential " visitation " of God " hath preserved my 
spirit" until this day, and I now propose to fulfill my 
long cherished purpose, I humbly trust, for his glory and 
your good. 

That eminent minister and author, Rev. Dr. Albert 
Barnes, after he had been Pastor of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Philadelphia for twenty-eight years, preached 
and published a sermon entitled, " Life at Three Score," 
in which he savs: 

A man who has reached the sixtieth year of his life ought to be 
able to give some views of living which will be worth the atten- 
tion of those who are starting on the way ; he ought to be able to 
offer some counsel which it would be wise and safe for those wlio 
are young to follow ; he ought to be able so to speak of the tempt- 
ations of the world, as to show how they may be avoided or 
overcome ; he ought to be able to say something which will en- 
courage the next generation in the duties of life ; he ought to be 
able to utter something bright and hopeful in regard to the pros- 
pects which are to open upon the world which he is soon to leave 
— bright and hopeful in regard to the world to which he is soon 
to go. 

Preliminarily, I wisb to remark that life in general 
appears to me now to be a broader, higher, deeper, richer 
blessino; than I dreamed of in vouusjer vears ; that it is a 
greater good than it was sixty years ago, for during that 
time the range of knowledge has been largely extended ; 
that means and opportunities of development and useful- 
ness have largely multiplied ; and that therefore there 



184 A FOETY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

are not only greater possibilities, but more solemn respon- 
sibilities connected with living now than ever before. 
Truthfully we may sing : 

" We are living, we are dwelling 
In a grand and awful time ; 
In an age on ages telling, 
To be living is sublime." 

In the earnest hope that I may help, especially my 
dear young people, to live rightly, I now proceed to tell 
you. How life looks to me at sixty. 

I. I commence with physical life, and under this gen- 
eral head make two specifications : 

1. This lowest /orm of life is developed in the matenal 
world around and above us. It is to me a matter of sin- 
cere regret that I lived so many years, enjoying, to be 
sure, the world of nature; but not rightly viewing, and, 
therefore, not properly appreciating it. I admired its 
manifold beauty of color and form, in foliage, flowers, 
trees, meadows, mountains, and skies ; the steady uni- 
formity of its laws, bringing, with unfailing regularity, 
blossoming springs, fruiting summers, harvesting au- 
tumns, and restful, strengthening winters ; but failed, 
amid these creations, to recognize their relations to the 
living Creator ; failed, amid the operations of these benefi- 
cent laws, to see the ^vorkins^s of the infinite Law-o-iver's 
will ; failed, while admiring beautiful pictures of earth, 
water, and sky, to even think seriously of the Divine 
Artist who drew them all. 

Now, every thing in this material world pulsates with 
an interest unknown in my younger years. Now — not 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 185 

ignorantly, Dot superstitiously, but scientifically aud 
philosophically, as well as theologically — all nature is to 
me the outwrought, materialized thought of God ; only 
effects of which he is the primary Cause ; only physical 
revelations of his own benevolence, wisdom, power, and 
goodness. Therefore, instead of being lessened in interest 
bv the familiaritv of sixtv years, nature is more interest- 
ing, significant, beautiful ; because to my intelligent con- 
sciousness it is full of God. Verily, " The earth is full 
of his riches." " The heavens declare his glory, and the 
firmament sheweth his handiwork." Verily, " of him, and 
through him, and to him, are all things ; to whom be 
glory forever." And joyfully my heart sings : 

" All I feel, or hear, or see, 
God of Love, is full of thee." 

And I desire to impress on you all that, admire as you 
may beautiful objects and scenes, get all possible scien- 
tific knowledge, still you will never see this natural world 
in its true light, never comprehend its inner meanings, 
never perceive its graudest glories, never learn its pro- 
foundest lessons, never detect its richest correspondences 
• — until in every design you see a designing God, in every 
law, the wisdom of a law-giving God ; in every effect, the 
^vorking of a causal God ; in the steady upholding of all 
things, the power of an upholding God ; in all the wealth 
of product, the richness of a benevolent God ; and in all 
beauty, grandeur, and magnificence, the beauty, gran- 
deur, and magnificence of a Father-God ; who " hath 
not left himself without witness, in that he does good, 



186 A FOETY-OXE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

gives us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our 
hearts with food and gladness ; " and " giveth us richly- 
all things to enjoy." 

2. The other department of physical life to which I 
wish to refer, is that of the human body. It is another 
matter of regret to me that, in my younger years, physi- 
ology, which is now taught in our schools, was not taught 
outside of colleges, and not much inside ; and that there- 
fore I grew up knowing almost nothing about the struc- 
ture, functions, and laws of my own body. To-day it 
seems to me that no branch of secular education is of 
more importance than this. Oh ! how much of the en- 
joyment, efficieucy, and usefulness of all other forms of 
life is dependent upon the conditions of the body! I am 
sure that a vast amount of what we all deplore — ill-tem- 
pers, unhappy dispositions, weaknesses, inefficiencies, fail- 
ures, and misery in general — are directly traceable to 
bodily conditions, induced by violations of God's physio- 
logical laws ; and that from the same cause uncounted 
thousands die before their time. Doubtless all admit the 
truth of this theoretically ; but I suppose it impossible 
for any, except persons advanced in years, to fully realize 
how true it is. We have seen in others so much of the 
disastrous effect of abuses of the body by alcoholic drink- 
ing, by over-eating or under-eating, by over-working or 
under-working, by different kinds of excesses — in fact, 
we have seen so many in this way undermine their phj'-s- 
ical constitutions, ruin their health, literally kill them- 
selves, actually commit slow suicide ; and we have in our 
own persons experienced so much suflfering from our vio- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 187 

lations of bodily laws, and so much benefit from their 
observance, that we feel — as the vouno^er cannot — the 
importance of conforming to them, and thus securing and 
promoting health ; and the criminal guiltiness of eating 
or drinking, doing or enjoying anything which violates 
tliem, and thereby harms the body by weakening its 
powers, and sapping the springs of its vitalities. 

My own health is better than that of most ministers at 
sixty. Indeed, I have been personally acquainted with 
two hundred and forty-four ministers who have died 
during my ministry ; and yet I am sure, that had I taken 
more care of my body, understood and obeyed its laws 
better, realized more fullv that God meant it should be a 
" temple of the Holy Ghost," and therefore kept pure 
and holy, I should have been healthier, more vigorous, 
stronger, at three score, than I am. Because of this ob- 
servation and experience, I entreat, beseech, my dear 
young people, to take constant, watchful care of your 
bodies. Learn their laws ; obey them when you learn 
them, at any cost. Deny yourselves any gratification 
which will harm them, and by God's blessing, that great- 
est of all earthly good, vigorous health, shall be yours. 
And what is all else of acquirement, possession, or posi- 
tion, without health ? To young men I solemnly, earn- 
estly say, that you cannot afford dissipation. It will cost 
too much — too much. It will not only cost money, time, 
reputation now, but you will have to pay for it during all 
the coming years in weakened energies, dyspepsias, neural- 
gias, rheumatisms, and other diseases, which will make 
you curse the guilty follies of your youth, and make life 



188 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

in old age a burden. What we sow in younger we reap 
in maturer years, and no imagination can adequately de- 
pict the harvest which you will reap, through the opera- 
tion of God's inexorable laws, if you now sow gluttony, 
licentiousness, gambling, or any other form of vice. Be 
wise, therefore, O ye who are to live w^hen I am gone ! 
tleed my paternal, loving counsel. Be pure ; be good ; 
shun corrupt society ; and ye shall be strong, vigorous, 
robust, manly, happy. And when youth shall have gone, 
when you shall have passed the maturity of manhood and 
entered upon old age, you shall reap a fullness of blessed 
reward, the value of which you shall find to be more pre- 
cious than silver or gold, " yea, than much fine gold." 

I cannot leave this branch of my subject, however, 
without calling your more special attention to the fearful 
results svhich I have seen produced upon all forms of life, 
by the use of alcoholic drinks. 

Oh, the dismal train of horrors I have witnessed, result- 
ing from intemperance — broken-down physical constitu- 
tions, impoverished fortunes, blasted reputations, crimes, 
imprisonments, untimely deaths ! And as I think over 
the ghaslly catalogue of ills which follow the rum traflBc, 
I exclaim. How can men engage in it, when they know 
the inevitable results ; men who have human sympathies, 
and must soon stand before the flashing terrors of the 
Judgment ! For myself, with what I know of the 
crime, misery, and death produced by it, before I could 
sell alcoholic drinks — especially to young men, dear 
young men, around whom are entwined the fondest 
hopes of parents and of society — before I could do 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 189 

this, sim2)ly to make money, every humane instinct, 
every tender affection, every noble sentiment, must 
die within me. I must surrender my immortal hopes ; 
and from being a man ^vith an eye to weep with 
human sorrow, an open hand to help all human need, I 
must become a petrified, selfish, inhuman, godless, money- 
getting thing! "Touch not, taste not, handle not" alco- 
holic drink of any kind. O beloved youth ! beneath the 
sparkling crest of the wine-cup lies coiled a snake, which 
will sting you unto death. " Woe unto them that rise up 
early in the morning that they may follow strong drink ! " 
" Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, and who- 
ever is deceived thereby is not wise." " Who hath woe ? 
who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath bab- 
bling ? who hath redness of eyes ? They that tarry long 
at the wine." " No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom 
of God." 

II. I proceed to speak of social life. 

This phrase includes all that is comprehended in the life 
of association with our fellow-beings, in the relations of 
family and of society. God never meant that man should 
be alone, and therefore he endowed us with a social na- 
ture, consisting of instincts, sympathies, and affections, 
which go out toward others, and constitute the basis of 
marriage, originate all the blessedness of homes, all the 
pleasures of friendly companionship. 

God gave me a warm social nature. My home has 
always been to me the dearest place on earth, but at sixty 
it is dearer to me than ever ; and I sing to-day with a 



190 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' TASTORATE. 

fuller appreciation, a tenderer pathos, " Home, Sweet 
Home," where all is peace and sunshine, how much so- 
ever trouble and darkness may prevail elsewhere, — where 
a love, stronger than the passion of youth, grows "richer 
and deeper with increasing years, between husband and 
wife, parents and children, and which sanctifies and glori- 
fies the house in which we have lived more than thirty 
years, and makes our home " antedate a glad eternity, and 
become a heaven in epitome." 

I have always been strongly attached to friends. Ah, 
how many have ft\llen by my side ! 

"Friends my soul with joy remembers, 
How like quivering flames they start, 
When I fan the glowing embers 
On the hearthstone of my heart ! " 

It is a matter of profound gratitude to me that sixty 
years have not chilled my social nature, and that friends 
are more precious than ever. I know that a " tried 
friend is a golden treasure," and that the Bible speaks 
truly when it says : " Ointment and perfume rejoice the 
heart ; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty 
counsel." 

And from this long social experience I wish to im- 
press on you the importance of home life. There can 
be no adequate substitute for it. Admire as we may the 
marvelous growth and grand proportions of such a city 
as San Francisco, the philanthropist cannot fail to regret 
the published facts that seventy thousand of its people 
live in mere " lodgings " and get their meals at three 
hundred and fifty restaurants ; that thirty thousand others 



A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 191 

live in ninety hotels and boarding-houses ; and that 
six thousand more drift from lunch-table to lunch-table, 
and sleep anywhere. These one hundred and five thou- 
sand people have no homes ; and the eflfect of this home- 
lessness of so large a proportion of its population upon 
the nioral and spiritual interests of that splendid city 
must be tremendously disastrous. God " setteth the 
solitary in families"; and all history sho\Ys that with the 
family institution, the best interests of society, the church 
and the world are identified. 

Prize then, I beseech you, your homes. Cultivate 
home lifie. Make your homes cheerful, attractive, to 
children and friends. 

I wish, also, to emphasize the value of true friends, 
and urge upon all young persons the importance of gen- 
uine friendships among the intelligent and the good. Dr. 
Hawes, of Hartford, said : " Tell me who a young man's 
friends are, and I will tell you what he is." But to have 
desirable friends, you must show yourselves friendly and 
worthy of them ; and if you are, you will have them, 
good and true, who will not only contribute largely to 
your happiness, but will solace you in sorrow, aid you in 
difficulty, help you to bear life's heavy burdens ; and you 
also will exclaim, as I do now — 

"Friendship, mysterious cement of the soul, 
Sweetener of life and solder of society, 
I owe thee much. Thou hast deserved of me 
Far, far beyond what I can e'er repay." 

III. I wish now to speak of what is distinctively called 
business life. 



192 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

I do not forget what many of yon remember the 
moment I speak of business. You think that I am and 
have been simply a minister, and that ministers not only • 
know nothing of business itself, but fail to appreciate its 
pressing claims, anxious solicitudes, absorbing cares, and 
incessant demands. Doubtless there is truth in that 
popular impression ; and how much of error there is in 
it, I do not care to show on this occasion. But all must 
admit that, from our positions in society, our acquaint- 
ance with and relations to business men, our constant 
observation of the effect which prevalent methods of 
attending to business have upon men themselves; upon 
their manhood, their characters, their happiness, their use- 
fulness; upon their preparation for moral and religious 
duties; upon their preparation for old age, for death, 
judgment, and eternity, — I say, that from our positions 
and opportunities, ministers ought to be able to form 
judgments which are at least worthy of candid and seri- 
ous attention. I have time only to specify two points of 
judgment in this connection. 

1. Those elements of character which in young men are 
essential to business success, appear to me now even more 
important than they did in former years. 

AVhat do I refer to ? I refer to honesty, which will 
beg, if it must, but will not steal ; to industry, which will 
not shirk, but welcome, work; to perseverance, which 
can patiently wait for desired results ; to economy, which 
will not have, or eat, or wear, what it cannot afford ; to 
total abstinence from alcoholic drinks ; to avoidance of 
every form of gambling or corrupting associations ; to 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 193 

mauly self-denial of any pleasure ^vhich interferes with 
duty. Boys, young men, sixty years have impressed on 
my mind, as it is not possible that you should feel, the 
vital importance of those elements as the prerequisite of 
a true life, and as the best capital with which a young 
man can commence business. With these he may be 
sure of a good degree of success. Without these, suc- 
cess, even if attained, shall be a curse, and not a blessing. 
For no gains can counterbalance loss of manhood. No 
outside possession can counterbalance the wretched 
poverty of an ignorant, vice-shriveled, covetous, selfish, 
sordid soul, which no one loves, and for which no one 
cares, and over whose coffin no one sheds a tear. 

2. These years of observation have impressed me that 
most business men make a sad mistake. 

What do I now refer to ? This. So many are con- 
tented to be merely business men — to feel and act as if 
to make money, to amass property, extend business, was 
the one great aim and object in human life. This seems 
to be the culmination of their ambition, and therefore 
they project all the energies of their natures on that 
one single line. And they will tell you that they have 
no time for anything else ; no time for the cultivation of 
their minds and the acquisition of other knowledge ; no 
time for healthy physical recreations ; no time for social 
enjoyment with their families ; no time to help in labors 
to save their fellow-beings from intemperance, and other 
forms of vice ; no time to attend caucuses and secure 
the nomination of good men for office ; no time to per- 
sonally aid Sunday-school, or any other kind of work 

N 



194 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

for the welfare of humanity and the glory of God. 
Friends, I am sure that this is a tremendous mistake. 
I am sure that this cannot fill up God's ideal of a man. 
I am sure that such exclusive attention to business is 
harmful to the body, shortening to life, narrowing to 
mind and heart, nourishing to selfishness — a sin against 
nature, against your fellow-beings, and against God. 
Understand me. Long years of observation have taught 
me the vital necessity of diligence in business. That is 
one thing : that is right : that is imperious duty. I 
only bear my testimony, based upon disastrous eflTects 
I have witnessed, against exclusive, supreme devotion 
to it, to the neglect of duties you owe your bodies, your 
souls, your families, the community in which you live, 
your country, and your God. 

It is to me one of the most lamentable facts of to-day, 
that when men, good, upright, and true, men in whom 
the young and the old place confidence — when such 
men reach positions of influence in the business world, 
because of which they could do most good, be most influ- 
ential, that then they withdraw from all direct labor for 
man and God — leave all that to others less experienced 
and less influential, and so exclusively devote their whole 
time and energies to merely secular affairs. 

O men, my brothers ! I am sure that when you reach 
my age, when you stand on the elevation of sixty years, 
when you feel your hold on all earthly things gradually 
relaxing, and near-coming inevitable events cast their 
shadows upon you ; when you shall have fully realized 
the inability of worldly good to satisfy the spiritual crav- 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 195 

ii)gs of your own souls ; when you shall have corae to 
know, as you do not now, the value of sympathy, re- 
spect, love of your fellow-men, which money cannot buy; 
and the need — the need — you shall then feel of a con- 
sciousness of having done some good in the world you are 
soon to leave ; the approval of your own consciences, and 
the favor of God, at whose judgment bar you are shortly 
to appear to give account of your stewardship of talent, 
of influence, and of property — oh, then I know that 
business life will look to you, as it does to me, not an end, 
but a means ; a duty, but not an exclusive duty. Then 
you will say, if never before, that the Bible is right when 
it enjoins diligence in business, but also fervency of love 
toward God and man ; and not only in secular business, 
but full service in all other departments of useful life. 

IV. Finally, I wish to tell you how a religious life ap- 
pears to me at sixty. 

Well do I remember that in my youth a religious life 
appeared just as it does to young people now, to be sad, 
gloomy, and undesirable. Circumstances, I think, con- 
firmed me in this view. Our minister, I am sure, was a 
good man ; but he was so continually, severely solemn, 
that I was afraid of him, and used to hide awav when he 
came to our house, with his dignified ministerial tread, 
dressed in perpetual black. Like multitudes now in 
later years, I thought that religion consisted in believing 
certain religious doctrines, which had been formulated by 
men, and in performing certain religious services which 
had been appointed by the church, both of which were 
repulsive to me. 



196 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

But in my seventeentli year I had an experience in my 
inner nature which changed all my views of religion, and 
the direction of all the currents of my life. Your kind- 
ness will allow me to briefly outline that experience. I 
"was left an orphan at the age of twelve, and placed by 
my mother in a dry goods store in Paterson, New Jersey. 
I boarded with my employer, and lodged in the store. 
Up to that time I had been a gay, joyous, light-hearted, 
happy youth ; but during that year I became the subject 
of .new thinking concerning my relations to God. I came 
to a realizati(m that I had been living just as if there 
were no God, and utterly regardless of all duty I owed 
him ; and that therefore I was a sinner, guilty of innum- 
erable sins of commission and omission. This conscious- 
ness lay like a burden on my soul, and for weeks I 
obtained no relief. At length, one dark Sunday night — 
oh, how well I remember it ! — with a lantern in my hand, 
I left my employer's house at about ten o'clock, to go to 
the store for the night. The dark street was perfectly 
quiet, but my mind was darker than it, and full of anx- 
ious trouble. When I was about half way I stopped on 
the sidewalk, and stood still amid the quiet gloom, be- 
cause there came a revelation to my soul — ^vivid as a 
vision to physical sight — of the Cross on Calvary, of the 
Lord Jesus dying on it for my sins, and thus saving me 
from their guilt and penalty ; and before that revelation 
of the infinite love of God for a sinful orphan boy, my 
whole nature was subdued, melted, bowed in adoring, 
grateful love. My burden of conscious guilt rolled off. 
My whole soul felt the thrill of a new spiritual life of 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 197 

devotion to God, and service to my fellow-beings. The 
night and darkness around me seemed radiant with the 
Divine Presence, and I longed for the morning, that I 
might tell my friends what God had done for me, and 
how sweet and easy it was to become a Christian. 

That was forty-three years ago last April. Then and 
there, away from all external excitements, I began a 
religious life ; and I desire to tell you how such a life 
appears to me now, after these forty-three years of expe- 
rience. 

1. My conviction of the divinity of Christianity has 
grown with my growth, and increased with increasing 
years. 

I have either read or heard all the leading objections 
and arguments of unbelievers against the Bible and 
Christianity. Some of these, I am free to confess, 
alarmed me in my vounger vears. But maturer knowl- 
edge and observation have shown me that the most of 
these are arrayed against old traditional interpretations 
of the Bible, rather than against the Scriptures them- 
selves as interpreted by modern exegesis ; against the 
spirit, practices, and doctrines of churchianity, rather 
than against those of the spiritual Christianity of the 
New Testament ; and that they arise, most of all, out of 
the hostility of a depraved human nature to a lioly God, 
and his pride-humbling method of salvation. And such 
is my certainty now of its truth, that it is my deliberate 
belief that no man can thoroughly know what spiritual 
Christianity is, and disbelieve its divinity ; that no man 
can comprehend its fullness of God's love for his prodi- 



198 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

gal human children — its divine-human Christ, offering 
himself to be the Saviour, Friend, Brother of guiltiest 
sinners ; its illuminating, regenerating, comforting Spirit, 
brooding over all souls to save them ; its knowledge for 
human ignorance ; its strength for our weakness ; its com- 
fort for our sorrows ; its hopes for our despair ; its clothing 
for our nakedness ; its satisfaction for soul-hunger and 
thirst ; its power to purify, elevate, beautify, broaden out 
human character, and educe gains out of losses, triumphs 
out of defeats, exaltations out of humiliations, life out of 
death, and insure a heaven in the eternal hereafter — I 
say I am thoroughly satisfied that no mind can rightly 
know these, and deny its essential divinity. 

But, friends, I know that such knowledge is not a 
matter of mere intellectual information, not something to 
be argued into a soul, not an acquisition of the logical 
faculty, but the result of an experience in the heart — an 
experience which to the whole soul is mightier than 
reasoning, deeper than philosophy, stronger than logic, 
more convincing than libraries of books or years of argu- 
mentation. He who has that will cry : 

" Should all the forms that men devise 
Attack my faith with treacherous art, 
I'll call them vanity and lies. 

And bind the gospel to my heart." 

I am naturally fond of argumentation, but care less for 
it now than ever. I am content to say to men : " The 
Divine Christ of Christianity declares that "If any man 
will do his will he shall know of the doctrine." Test the 
truth of his words. Do what Christianity requires, and 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS^ PASTORATE. 199 

see if it will not do. in you, and for you, what it promises." 
And if they will not comply with this designated condi- 
tion of knowledge, then I affirm that they are unreason- 
able, unphilosophical, unscientific, in their rejection of 
Christianity. 

2. I am more and more impressed with the compati- 
bility of a religious life with all other forms of life. 

How wrongly I used to think about this ! I thought 
that to be religious, I must simply devote so much time 
every day to religious duties, and then attend to other and 
opposite duties ; in a word, I thought as multitudes do, 
that religion was one thing, and recreation and business 
another, distinct and antagonistic. I have learned long 
since that this is a wretched, hurtful delusion, a separation 
of what God meant should be an unified life ; that Chris- 
tianity in a human soul is not a mere belief or hope, but 
a divine living principle of love to God and man, which 
should impregnate and vitalize with new beauty and 
power personal, social, home, business, and political life ; 
that it is something to be lived, a spirit to be breathed in 
our recreations as truly as in our prayer-meetings ; in our 
homes and stores as truly as in our churches ; on all the 
days of the week as truly as on Sundays ; that it is an 
every-day, everywhere spirit of purity, honesty, sympathy, 
helpfulness, generosity ; of love which sings in the soul 
every morning, just what the angels sang when Christ was 
born : " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men." 

3. I am fully satisfied that it is practically impossible to 
maintain a religious life outside of Christian churches. 



200 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

On this important point I have no time to enlarge, 
although my heart is full of it. I have seen so many 
professing to be Christians, who, for various reasons, 
refused to join any church ; and so many, "who have 
sundered their connections with churches because of im- 
perfections they found within them, and who have tried 
the experiment of living religiously with no church rela- 
tion. During sixty years I have never known one who 
succeeded. The fact is, friends, that the Lord knows us 
better than we know ourselves. He knows our need of 
connection with an organization which shall impose 
healthy responsibilities, develop talent, afford best oppor- 
tunities for usefulness, as well as supply most precious 
privileges, sweetest enjoyments, richest associations, and 
most beneficent restraints. Whatever I am, I owe to 
my connection with the church to which I gave myself in 
my youth, and of which I say to-day, " If I forget thee, O 
Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning : if I 
do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of 
my mouth ; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." 

Dearly beloved young disciples, whom these hands 
have "buried with Christ in baptism," I beseech you, be 
true to your covenant vows ; never leave or forsake the 
church with which you are connected ; and you shall find 
in it your richest development, best sphere of usefulness, 
sweetest enjoyments, and best preparation for the mortal 
and immortal future. 

4. Lastly, I feel as never before, the need of personal 
piety as a preparation for old age. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 201 

All persons of all ages need it. But, as the sun of life, 
having passed the zenith, sinks slowly into the west ; as 
the autumn time, with its tinges of decay, comes on ; as 
the blood gets cooler and cooler ; as increasing infirmities 
develop themselves ; as external sources of pleasure begin 
to dry up ; as life-shadows grow longer and deeper, and 
the inevitable hour gets nearer and nearer — oh, how in- 
expressibly precious the Father, the Saviour, the Com- 
forter, the promises of Christianity, become — promises 
that the " almond tree shall flourish," that " gray hairs 
shall be a crown of glory when found in the way of 
righteousness " ; that w^e may still " bear fruit in old age " ; 
that there may be a perpetual youth of the heart ; that 
" though the outward man perish, the inward man may 
be renewed day by day," " while we look not at the 
things which are seen, but at the things which are not 
seen : for the things which are seen are temporal ; but the 
things which are not seen are eternal ;" and that what we 
call dying is only birth into life immortal, " w^here ever- 
lasting spring abides, and never-withering flowers." 

Thus, friends, I have outlined to you as briefly as I 
could, how life — physical, social, business, and religious — 
looks to me at sixty. 

Do you ask how the future appears? I answer, not 
radiant, but serene, calm, and hopeful. I leave all the 
past to the mercy of him " who delighteth in mercy ; " 
heartily thank him for the multitudinous blessings of 
the present, and trust him, " the faithful God who keep- 
eth covenant," for all the future. " My times are in his 
hands." 



202 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

If it please him, " whose I am and whom I serve," 
I should like to live, while I live on earth, in this 
goodly city, from whose citizens of all classes, from 
whose churches and ministers of all denominations, I 
have never received anything but kindness; and with 
this dear, dear church, among whom I have lived more 
than half of my whole life ; — live to be a better man, a 
holier Christian, an abler preacher, a more successful 
pastor; live to be the special friend of the widow, the 
orphan, and the children ; live to be a more efficient 
helper of the helpless, and friend of the friendless ; live 
to lead multitudes more to the " Lamb of God which 
taketh away the sin of the world " ; to feed the flock 
of God, over which " the Holy Ghost hath made me 
overseer " ; and to demonstrate more fully how a Baptist 
minister can be perfectly loyal to the distinctive prin- 
ciples of his own denomination, and yet heartily love 
and practically co-operate in Christian work and worship 
with all " who love our Lord Jesus Christ," and ex- 
hibit toward all men, of all beliefs, in his limited sphere, 
a charity as broad as the unlimited love of the All- 
Father God. 

So in regard to the future — 

" I hear Hope singing — singing sweetly, 
Singing, in an undertone ; 
Singing, as if God had taught her, 
' It is better, farther on.' 

'Night and day she sings the song. 
Sings it, while I sit alone j 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 203 

Sings, so that my heart may hear it — 
' It is better, farther on.' 

" Sits upon the grave and sings it, 

Sings it, when my heart would groan ; 
Sings it, when the shadows darken — 
' It is better, farther on.' 

"Farther on! How much farther 

Count the mile-stones one by one ? 
No, not counting— only trusting — 
* It is better, farther on.' " 



XXIII. 

LONG PASTOKATES. 



" More than five years in one church, is not desirable, 
for an average American minister." — Dr. Bethune. 

Mr. Beecher, when asked, at Yale, why, in these 
days there were so many short pastorates, replied, 
" It is largely of the divine mercy .'^ 

In 1878, R. K. Bellamy, d. d., of blessed memory, 
finished thirty years as pastor of the Baptist Church at 
Chicopee Falls, Mass. His church honored them- 
selves and him by a celebration worthy of both. Be- 
cause Dr. Bowers, of Clinton, Mass., in the east, and 
I in the west, had both had pastorates of similar dura- 
tion, we were invited to deliver the addresses. 

A memorable social re-union occurred on the same 



204 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

day. Mrs. Bowers. Mrs. Bellamy, aud Mrs. Baldwin, 
had been fellow-students in their girlhood, at Charles- 
town, Mass., and had become strongly attached to each 
other. But, they had not once met during the inter- 
vening forty-five years; and when on this occasion they 
did meet and compared notes, they found that each 
had married a Baptist minister, whose names began 
with the letter B ; each of their husbands had been 
honored with a D. D., and the pastorate of each had 
reached thirty years ! It was touchingly beautiful to 
see those three grand women, each of whom was the 
pride and joy of her husband, sitting together, and 
hear them lovingly talk over their school experiences. 
The celebration was in the evening. The audience 
was immense. The first address was delivered by Dr. 
Bowers. It was superb, full of eloquence and wit, and 
admirably delivered. Anything like it, on his line, 
was to me a sheer impossibility. His general theme 
was the benefits to church and pastor connected with 
protracted pastorates. I was very glad that, presum- 
ing that such would be his subject, I had thought out 
another theme, which I expressed in this interrogative 
proposition : " All agree that long pastorates are credit- 
able to pastors and churches ; — are shorter ones neces- 
sarily discreditable to either ? " I discussed that, and 
to my own satisfaction proved the negative. The 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 205 

chief points were : First, I challenged the production 
of one man, who ever had an exceptionably long pas- 
torate, on whose head the organ of " locality '' was not 
largely developed. Tiie mental characteristic, of which 
that phrenological development is the exponent, causes 
one to become attached to places, take affectionate root 
in localities ; and if one has not that characteristic, he 
is not to be blamed for preferring change to perma- 
nency. Second, for a prolonged pastorate a peculiar 
moral organization is requisite. It must be easily 
adjustable to the inevitable ; able to accommodate 
itself, without special grace, to all kinds of circum- 
stances, patiently endure the disagreeable, prone to 
look on the bright side of everything, put the best 
possible construction on what seems most deplorable — 
and be willing to wait for desirable results. And if 
one has not such a natural moral organization, he will 
naturally be more or less ^^ moveable." Third, the 
basal fact, however, is that providential circumstances, 
over which we have no control, chiefly determine the 
length of our pastorates. These points I argued and 
illustrated durino^ fortv minutes, and I believe that I 
could have gotten an unanimous vote, that shorter 
pastorates are not necessarily discreditable to either 
pastor or church. The truth is, that duration is only 
an incident in our official career. Dr. H. L. Wav- 



206 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

land, in his " National Baptist," has the following : 
*' We offer, with diffidence, a single query, for the 
benefit of the living, and especially of those w^ho are 
just setting out in life. If Dr. Wm. Hague, with his 
recognized abilities, his personal power, his brilliancy 
of speech, and his large culture, had concentrated him- 
self, and had one pastorate, instead of eleven, would 
he not have left a profounder and more lasting im- 
pression ? " 

The more important question, I submit, is : " Would 
he have done more good ? " I think not. The gen- 
eral economy of the kingdom makes shorter pastorates 
the rule, long ones the exception, and that is, because 
a majority of ministers can accomplish more by the 
former than by the latter. I yield to no one in my 
admiration of Dr. Hague, whom I have personally 
known and loved during forty-five years ; but, it is a 
simple fact, that with his almost peerless pulpit, plat- 
form, and pen ability, he had but little aptitude and 
less taste for those drudgeries which are the essentials 
of success in prolonged pastorates. He was what 
George Eliot calls — 

" The sweet presence of a good diffused, 
And in diffusion — even more intense." 

Doubtless, a few pastors stay when they ought to 
go ; but if they go when they ought to stay — the result 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 207 

is disastrous. "As a bird that wandereth from her 
nest, so is mau out of his place.'' When it is God's 
will, and the people desire that a pastor's whole offi- 
cial life should be spent among them, it is delightful. 
The strength and tenderness of ties thus formed and 
cemented by the experiences of many years — are sim- 
ply inexpressible. 

The favorite hymn — found in the books of all de- 
nominations throughout the world, beginning, " I 
would not live always'' — was written by the Rev. 
Dr. Muhlenburg, of New York. His official life 
was spent among one congregation. When he died, 
the people mournfully cried, " Everybody has lost a 
father.'' 

"Fill, brief or long, my granted span 
Of life — with love to God and man ; 
Strike when thou wilt, the hour of rest, 
But let my last days be my best." 

Whittier. 



PART THIRD. 



SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES. 



" Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing 
be lost."— John 6 : 12. 



o 209 



PART THIRD. 



SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES. 



I. 

PASTORAIi AKNTTERSAEIES. 

It was not my custom to preach anniversary ser- 
mons, descriptive of a year's work; but sometimes 
attention was directed to the beginning of a new 
pastoral year, by brief pubh'c reference, and some- 
times by the printing and circulation of appropriate 
cards, like the following, which was found in the 
Bible of a devoted Christian woman, and read by 
Bishop Potter at her funeral : 

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any 
good thing, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness I 
can show to any fellow being, let me do it now. Let 
me not defer it, or neglect it ; for I shall not pass this 
way again. 



11. 

INVOCATIONS. 

Experience has satisfied me, that the best form of 
invocation with which to open public worship is 

211 



212 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

"The Lord's Prayer," offered slowly, solemnly, ten- 
derly, by the pastor and people in vocal unison. The 
use of the word " sins,'^ instead of " debts,'' or '^ tres- 
passes," is preferable; because that word includes the 
ideas involved in both the others and is better under- 
stood by the people. That sacred prayer, offered 
without prefix or suffix, is so complete in its scope, 
and so associated with memories of childhood and 
home, that it seems to me to unify a congregation, as 
nothing else can. Some one said : It embodies a cath- 
olic spirit in its '^Our Father" ; a reverential spirit in 
its "hallowed be thy name"; an obedient spirit in its 
" thy will be done"; a dependent spirit in its " give us 
this day our daily bread"; a penitent spirit and for- 
giving spirit in its "forgive us our sins as we for- 
give; " a cautious spirit in its " lead us not into temp- 
tation " ; and an adoring spirit in its " thine is the 
kingdom, and the power and glory, forever and ever. 
Amen." 

Another distinguished minister said, " I used to 
think * The Lord's Prayer ' short. But the longer I 
live and the more I see of life, the more I believe 
that there is no such thing as ever getting through 
it. If a man in praying it were to stop at every 
word, until he fully comprehended it, his life-time 
would be consumed before he got entirely through it.'^ 



A FORTY-ONE YEAHS' PASTORATE. 213 

III. 

THE BENEDICTION. 

It is sad to see how indifferently, sometimes, both 
pastor and people seem to regard the " benediction." 
It is often pronounced with apparent carelessness, as a 
mere routine duty. Its solemnity has grown upon 
me. It is the final lifting up of hands and heart to 
God for the blessing upon all souls present, some of 
whom may never be there again.. It ought not, there- 
fore, to be regarded as a mere church ceremony ; but 
the pastor ought to wait until there is perfect silence 
in the house, however long it may take — and then 
pronounce it reverently, slowly, and with spiritual 
unction. 



IV. 

ADMINISTERING BAPTISM. 

Baptism is our distinctive ordinantial glory. We 
believe that it is part of our mission to preserve this 
ordinance,which symbolizes the fundamental historical, 
doctrinal, and experimental truths of Christianity, as it 
was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ. But the 
awkwardness with which it is sometimes administered 
is painful to witness. I believe that theological stu- 
dents ought to be taught the equal duty of baptizing 



214 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

rightly with that of preachiug correctly; and that pas- 
tors cannot be too careful in personally attending to all 
the details connected with the administration of this 
sacred rite. The fact is, that there is more argument 
for the truth, as to subject and mode, in one prop- 
erly administered baptism, than in a dozen sermons. 
Its expressive symbolism is an absolute demonstration 
of its rightness; and yet, in one improper administra- 
tion, not only is the effect lost, but a positive preju- 
dice is excited against it. When administered as it 
ought to be, then, as G. D. Boardman, D. D., said, 
*' We preach baptism, not as a Greek etymon, but a 
moral emblem ; not as a mode, but a meaning ; not as 
a shibboleth, but as a symbol ; not as a mere prerequi- 
site, but as a testimony.^' 



V. 

"close communion." 

These two magnanimous testimonies are significant 
of the progress which is being made in an understand- 
ing of our views, and in the development of genuine 
Christian union, among all denominations. 

The first was published by Rev. H. W. Beecher, in 
the " Christian Union ^' ; the second, by Rev. Dr. Hib- 
bard, one of the most eminent ministers of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church : 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS^ PASTORATE. 215 

"We have never supposed that our Baptist brethren 
were more bigoted than their Congregational brethren. 
Even in matters about which we quite differ from them, 
we have found them both intelligent and candid. As 
matters now stand, all evangelical churches are " close 
communion " churches in this sense, that they all take it 
for granted that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance of 
the church, to be administered according to the discretion 
of the church, excluding all whom the church deems un- 
fit, and permitting to communion those whom it judges to 
have a right to commune. The opposite view would be, 
that every individual had a right to the communion of 
the Lord's Supper by virtue of his personal relations to 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and that no man or body of men 
has a right to judge for him. . . . This is an "open 
communion" ground. But the Baptist, the Congrega- 
tional, the Presbyterian, the Methodist Churches, are 
all, in principle, alike, and hold to "close communion," 
only using different tests in determining the fitness of 
candidates." 

"It is but just to remark, that in one principle, the 
Baptist and Pedobaptist churches agree. They both 
agree in rejecting from communion at the Table of the 
Lord and in denying the rights of church fellowship 
of all who have not been baptized. Valid baptism they 
consider as essential to constitute visible church member- 
ship. The only question, then, that here divides us is, 
What is essential to valid baptism ? The Baptists . . . 
have only acted upon a principle held in common with 
all other churches, viz., that baptism is essential to church 



216 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

membership. ... Of course they must be their own 
judges as to what baptism is. It is evident that, accord- 
ing to our views we can admit them to our communion, 
but, with their views of baptism, it is equally evident 
they can never reciprocate the courtesy. And the charge 
of "close communion" is no more applicable to the Bap- 
tists than to us, inasmuch as the question of church mem- 
bership is determined by as liberal principles as it is with 
any other Protestant churches, so far, I mean, as the 
present subject is concerned ; that is, it is determined by 
valid baptism." 



YI. 

AN ATMOSPHERE. 

The membership of our churches are being held 
together, less and less by similarity of doctrinal belief 
and discipline, and more and more by social atmos- 
pheres. All know how dependent the vitalities and 
growths in the world of inanimate nature are upon 
atmospheric conditions. It is an ascertained fact, that 
plants derive from the ground but a small portion 
of the elements by which they grow. It gives them 
stable mechanical support, but their chief nourishment 
comes from the air they breathe. A gentleman found 
that a plant, which he placed in two hundred pounds 
of earth, had in five years increased in weight one 
hundred and sixty pounds, and the earth in which it 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 217 

had been located had only lost two ounces of its 
weight. Til is holds true of " the garden of the 
Lord." If I were again to begin a pastorate, it 
would be a chief aim to secure and retain atmospheric 
spirituality ; for it will sanctify socialities, develop 
graces, make duties easy, and church relationships the 
most blessed, next to the ties of nature, of all the 
associations on earth. 



yii. 

THE COVENANT MEETING. 

With our denomination the "covenant meeting" is 
a distinctive institution. Its monthly remembrance 
and renewal of church vows are helpful. It was our 
custom to emphasize it as the monthly gathering of 
our spiritual family, at which every member ought to 
be present, unless detained by a special providence. 
The result was, that the attendance Avas far larger, 
and the tender, spiritual interest far greater than that 
of any other service. It was also another custom with 
us — which I take the liberty of advising all young 
pastors to adopt — for the deacons to sit with the pas- 
tor on the platform at every covenant meeting, and in 
turn read the church covenant, which we had met to 
renew. That honors the office of deacon ; and gave 



218 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

uniqueness and dignity to the occasion. I never felt 
so strong and courageous, as when I had on either 
side of me, in the presence of all the people, my faith- 
ful brethren of the diaconate, who had secured " to 
themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the 
faith which is in Christ Jesus.'' 



YIII. 

CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 

In some of our churches this is entirely neglected ; 
in others it is attended to in a cold and official way. 
It must be remembered that the object of a church is 
to save souls inside of it, as well as those outside. To 
that end our " covenant '^ obligations ought to be con- 
tinuously and earnestly emphasized; and members 
taught that they have no moral right to vote either to 
"drop" or "exclude" any one — where no immorality 
is charged — until they have done what they could to 
reclaim the backslider ; and that if they do, they pre- 
sent the spectacle of covenant-breahers voting to ^'drop'^ 
or " exclude " a covenant-breaker. 

And in cases of public sin, I hold that, if there is 
obtained satisfactory confession and promise of amend- 
ment, a church ought to be willing to bear whatever 
of odium may be connected with the retention of the 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 219 

party — just as long as there is reasonable hope of 
saving that soul. " Brethren, if any of you do err 
frona the truth, and one convert him, let him know 
that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his 
way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a 
multitude of sins." " Brethren, if a man be over- 
taken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an 
one in the spirit of meekness ; considering thyself, lest 
thou also be tempted." 



IX. 

SANCTTFYINa SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE. 

This method of securing money for church purposes, 
is now quite generally adopted. It commends itself to 
all thoughtful Christians. But, I am impressed that, 
as it exists in most of our churches, it needs sauctifi- 
cation. Only a minority of members practically 
adopt it ; and with a majority of those who do, it is 
to be feared that they are influenced more by pruden- 
tial considerations, than by religious principle. It is 
regarded as a Christian duty, as really as praise and 
prayer, only by a few. With how many is it a part of 
sanctuary worship ? And yet, most assuredly it ought 
to be exactly that. It is a specific command of our 
God. To his ancient people he said : " Keep the feast 
of the Lord, with a tribute of free-will offering in 



220 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

your hands." (Deut. 16 : 10.) "None of you shall 
appear before me empty." (Exod. 34 ; 20.) " Bring 
an offering and come into his courts." (Ps. 96 ; 8.) 
" Upon the first day of the week let every one of you 
lay by him in store, as God has prospered him J' 

But, our people will never, as a general thing, thus 
regard and practice it, unless the pastors keep this 
view of it before them. I have known it to utterly 
fail because the pastor lost his interest in it. My 
brethren will allow me to urge upon them the sanc- 
tification of this system, by securing full reports at 
every monthly covenant meeting; and not only urg- 
ing it themselves as a religious duty and as a part 
of sanctuary worship, but by having special prayer 
offered with reference to it, and by having leading 
brethren, in turn, advocate it heartily, and the poorest 
member encouraged to participate in it. By such 
sanctification the principle of regular, stated benevo- 
lence will crystallize into a habit; the pecuniary 
needs of our churches be supplied; and at the same 
time, larger contributions secured for Denominational 
Societies. Dr. Gordon has demonstrated these two 
propositions: First That faithful and proportionate 
giving is rewarded with abundant spiritual blessings. 
Second. That faithful and proportionate giving is 
rewarded with abundant temporal prosperity. 



A FORTY-ONE YEAKS' PASTORATE. 221 

X. 



RELIEF FOR SILENT CHRISTIANAS. 



There are in all of our churches, members of the 
highest respectability iu society, who never vocally 
take part in our social meetings. They say that they 
feel no sense of duty to undertake the service, and 
cannot do so comfortably to themselves, or, as they 
think, profitably to others. And because so much 
stress is laid, in our times, on public speaking and 
praying, such silent worshipers are often embar- 
rassed, their enjoyment of services marred, and their 
growth retarded. My judgment is, that such ought 
to be relieved. I permanently relieved one by this 
illustration. I said : 

"Brother, you know that the church is compared 
to a human body. Of course, a body must have a 
mouth ; but it would be hideous and valueless if it 
were all mouth. It as really needs other organs, not 
only to make it a body, but to make it efficient. 
It needs limbs and feet, on which to stand; arms and 
hands, with which to work ; but above all, it needs a 
firm spinal column to support all else. Beloved, the 
church needs what corresponds with all these; and the 
purity of your character, your integrity as a busi- 
ness man, the wisdom of your judgment and geniality of 



222 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

your disposition, the punctuality of your attendance, 
and your generous liberality, demonstrate that you 
belong to the spinal column of the Church of Christ, 
which supports all its power of voice, of endurance, 
and of successful activity. Only be sure to yield to 
the impulsions of the Spirit when you feel them ; 
don't be worried by anything that may be said in 
regard to your duty, when you do not feel them ; and 
be steadfast, peaceful, and cheerful in doing what your 
own conscience recognizes as duty. The oft-quoted 
passage about speaking often one to another, does not 
refer to speaking in meeting at all ; and it says that 
* a book of remembrance was written before him for 
them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his 
name; and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of 
hosts, in that day that I make up my jewels.' " 



XL 

CHIEF SOUIICES OF PASTORAL TROUBLES. 

Both experience and long-continued observation of 
all denominations, satisfy me, that, as a general fact, 
the original sources of ministerial troubles can be 
traced back to ministers themselves. They will be 
found to have arisen from our not doing in the right 
way, and at the right time, what we ought to have 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 223 

done, or in doing what ought never to have been 
done ; from our not saying, frankly and iiindly, what 
we ought to have said, at the right time, or from our 
saying what we ought never to have said. This is 
humiliating, but true. Hence, of all men, pastors 
most need practical wisdom. The only remedy for 
troubles thus caused, is genuine, thorough confession. 
I heard a minister, who had been pastor of one church 
thirty years, say : 

" I have often taken weapons out of the hands of 
the devil, by opportune confessions.'* 

Frederick the Great wrote to the Senate : 

" I have lost a great battle, and it was all my own 
fault.*' 

Goldsmith said of this : 

''His confession showed more greatness than his 
victories.** 



XII. 

UNPAEDONABLE PULPIT SINS. 

A merchant, of high repute as a man and citizen, 
but a recognized unbeliever in Christianity, rented, to 
the surprise of many, a pew in our church. In reply 
to queries, he in substance said : 

*' The man who preaches there is my neighbor ; and 



224 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

I like him. I know when I must get into church, 
and precisely when I can get out ; for he is punctual 
as a clock. Of course, I don't believe much that he 
preaches, but I am sure that he conscientiously does ; 
and if his sermons are not, sometimes, very interest- 
ing, they are never stupid or lengthy." . 

If there are any unpardonable pulpit sins, I am 
sure that stupidity and inordinate length are promi- 
nent among them. 



XIII. 

SPECIALTY FOR A PRAYER MEETZNG. 

Every pastor feels the importance and the difficulty 
of securing that variety in the regular prayer meet- 
ings, which is essential to their success. The follow- 
ing specialty was with us as, an occasional thing, very 
helpful. When a brother minister, be he whom he 
might, preached in our pulpit a sermon, whose subject 
and treatment were exceptionally fresh and instructive, 
the pastor announced at its close that it would be the 
theme of the next prayer-meeting; that he would 
then reproduce its analysis and leading thoughts, and 
ask the brethren to talk about it, pray in reference to 
it, and so harrow in the good seed. That honored 
the preacher, fastened the truths he had preached in 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 225 

the memory of his hearers, gave them something new 
to talk about, and gave unique freshness and profit- 
able interest to that service. Moreover, it sometimes 
surprised the people to see how much there was in that 
sermon, and get an idea of how much thought and 
prayer such a sermon cost. And I am sure, that it 
tended to make them more appreciative hearers, as 
well as gave novelty to an ordinary occasion. 



xiy. 

SECURING A SETTLEMENT. 

If I were in need of a field of labor, and desired 
to settle as pastor, and were not in the receipt of any 
"call,'^ instead of waiting and using ordinary means 
to secure one, I would act on this wise. Getting a list 
of destitute churches, I would select one; and, if there 
were no candidates before it, I would not write my- 
self, or ask others to write for me, but go directly to 
the place, assemble the deacons, and make this prop- 
osition : 

"Brethren, you are in need of a pastor. I am in 
need of a church. Whether I am God's man for vou, 
or you are God's church for me, neither party knows. 
I propose, therefore, if you are willing, to remain and 
act as pastor for any length of time you will specify. 



226 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

At its expiration we can arrive at an intelligent con- 
clusion, it being clearly understood that neither party 
comes under obligations by this arrangement. If, at 
that time, you conclude that I am not God's man for 
you; or, I conclude that you are not God's church for 
me, we will separate in peace, invoking benedictions 
upon each other." 

If such was the result in one place, I could go to 
another; and so keep at work on the line of duty, and 
earn an honest support. 



XY. 

WHEN OUGHT A PASTOR TO RESIGN? 

That question was asked me by a pastor. The an- 
swer helped him, and may help others. In substance 
it was as follows : I told him that years ago, *^ I 
knew a man in Christ, whether in the body or out of 
it," I could, but would not tell ; to whom God gave 
a wife, who was one of the holiest and wisest of 
women, whose judgment in all church matters was 
well nio^h infallible. She had a settled answer to this 
question. It was this: 

"A ^call' to a pastorate comes from within a 
church, and ought not to be resigned, except on account 
of reasons found to exist where the ^call' came frorai 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 227 

These reasons may be inadequate support, alienation 
of leading brethren, desire on the part of a respect- 
able minority for a change in the pastorate, or similar 
causes; and if such do not exist within the church 
itself, a pastor has no moral right to be potentially 
influenced by outside considerations, however flat- 
tering/' 

I believe that judgment is correct, at least in ordi- 
nary cases. " Distant pastures are always green.'' But 
human nature is the same everywhere. All pastors 
have similar experiences of sorrows and joys, failures 
and successes. The conditions of spiritual success are 
identical in all localities. Therefore, I advised mv 
brother to keep assiduously at work in the field God 
had given him, not to get restless, by no means " to 
fish" for a ''call," but patiently pray, work and wait, 
until there shall be reasons within his church for 
resigning; and that, as sure as he lived, when such a 
time came, God would open another and an ** effectual 
door" for him. 



XYI. 

A CHANGE PROPOSED. 

The conviction has grown upon me that, at our 
ordination services, the universal custom of having a 



228 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

sermon ought to be changed. Our people have two 
sermons weekly. An ordination is a specialty to the 
candidate and to the church ; and the special appoint- 
ments ought to have more time given them, and there 
ought to be more thorough preparation made for them. 
Now, they are all contracted to give space for a ser- 
mon. Therefore, by omitting it, and giving ample 
time for singing, reading the Scriptures, prayers, the 
charges to the candidate and to the church, and giving 
the hand of fellowship, would preserve the uniqueness 
of the occasion, and enhance both its interest and 
profit. 



XYII. 

"the baptism of the holy spirit." 

It is my conviction that Baptists are inconsistent, 
w^henever they offer prayer for the " baptism of the 
Spirit." Such a petition is not authorized by the New 
Testament. A careful study of both the " Gospels " 
and "Acts" discovers such baptism to have been 
limited to the apostles, and experienced by them at 
Pentecost, accompanying the endowment of power to 
work miracles; and is never spoken of again. In the 
Epistles, the perpetual work of the adorable Spirit is 
often spoken of, but never as a " baptism." 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTOR A.TE. 229 

It is consistent for our Pedobaptist brethren to thus 
pray, because they hold that baptism symbolizes the 
work of the Spirit ; but we do not. We hold that the 
symbolism of baptism relates exclusively to the two 
basal historic facts of Christianity, namely, that Christ 
died, was buried, and arose again ; and the two funda- 
mental facts of Christian experience, namely, the be- 
liever's death to sin, and resurrection to a new life. 
Whenever, therefore, 1 hear any of our brethren 
pray for " a baptism of the Spirit," I always feel that 
unwillingly they are sanctioning, as to baptism, a mode 
and meaning contrary to their faith. 



XVIII. 

A DAILY PRAYER. 

This singularly appropriate prayer Dr. Arnold 
wrote for his own use, and offered it every day before 
entering his far-famed school at Rugby : 

O Lord, I have a busy world around me; eye, and 
ear, and thought will be needed for all my work to be 
done in that busy world. Now, before I enter it, I would 
commit eye, and ear, and thought to thee. Do thou bless 
them, and keep their work thine ; that, as through thy 
natural laws my heart beats, and my blood flows without 
any thought of mine for them, so my spiritual life may 



230 A FORTY-ONE years' PASTORATE. 

hold on its course at those times when my mind cannot 
consciously turn to thee, to commit each particular thought 
to thy service. Hear my prayers, for my dear Redeemer's 
sake. Amen. 



XIX. 

PEEACHING. 



The following facts influenced me, and I hope may 
influence others. Daniel Webster said : " If clero^v- 
men of the present day would return to the simplicity 
of the gospel, and preach more to individuals, and less 
to the crowd, there would not be so much complaint 
of decline in religion. Many take a text from Paul 
and preach from the newspapers. I want my pastor 
to come to me, in the spirit of the gospel, and remind 
me that I am mortal, that my probation is brief, and 
what preparation I make must be attended to speedily." 
President Wayland said ; " I don't go to church to 
learn new truths, but that I may be influenced into a 
realization of what I know.'' Governor Briggs said : 
'' My prime desire in a pastor is, first, that he shall 
deeply feel the gospel himself; second, that he shall 
make me feel it." The successful Rev. F. W. Robert- 
son wrote : " It makes me glad to hear that what I 
preached was not simply admired, but felt." 



A FOETY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 231 

A distiiioriiished iiidore, beinor asked whv he went 
to clmrch, replied; "I go to be impressed/' President 
Mark Hopkins, D. D., wrote: "A sermon is merely an 
instrument, and whether it is good or not, depends 
upon the end in view, and its fitness to that end. It 
is the great characteristic of pulpit eloquence, as dis- 
tinguished from all others, that it has but a single 
supreme object, and that is to make men better. 
Whatever is not adapted to that end may be eloquence 
in the pulpit, but it is not pulpit eloquence. That 
only is a good sermon which is adapted to make hear- 
ers understand more clearly, feel more vividly, prize 
more highly, and believe and live more unreservedly, 
the trutlis of the gospel." 

Dr. Mason wrote : " When I go to the house of God 
I do not want amusement. I want the doctrine which 
is according to godliness. I want to hear of the rem- 
edy against the harassing of my guilt and the disorders 
of my affections. I want to be led from weariness 
and disappointment to that goodness that filleth the 
hunorrv soul. I want to have a lio^ht on the mvsterv 
of providence, to be taught how the judgments of the 
Lord are right; how I may pass the time of my so- 
journing here in fear, and close it in peace. Tell me 
of that Lord Jesus, ' who his own self bare our sins 
in his own bodv on the tree.' Tell me of his interces- 



232 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

sion for the transgressors, as their 'Advocate with the 
Father.* Tell me of his chastenings, their necessity, 
their use. Tell me of his presence, and sympathy, 
and love. Tell me of the virtues, as growing out of 
his cross, and nurtured by his grace. Tell me of the 
glory reflected on his name by the obedience of faith. 
Tell me of vanquished death, of the purified grave, of 
a blessed resurrection, of life everlasting — and my 
bosom warms. This is gospel ; these are glad tid- 
ings to me as a sufferer, because glad to me as a 
sinner." 



XX. 



A POTENTIAL TRAIT. 



After the death of one of our pastors, a member of 
the church he had faithfully served for many years, 
said: 

'^ Our minister had one trait, which you don't often 
find anywhere. It was this. lie never seemed to re- 
member an injury, I was prejudiced against him 
when he came to us; and often spoke disparagingly of 
him, sometimes even bitterly. And I know that he 
was informed of it all. But he always treated me as 
if I was his best friend. It breaks my heart now to 



A FORTY- OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 233 

think of it; and if ever I meet him in heaven, I will 
throw my arms around his neck, and beg him to for- 
give me." 



XXI. 

TWO KINDS OF FOOLS. 



Many years ago, one of our pastors had acted so 
indiscreetly toward some of the female members of his 
church, that much scandal was caused, which kept the 
cono:reQ:ation excited, and marred the influence of both 
pastor and people. After other means had been unsuc- 
cessfully tried, a Council was called. E.ev^. David Eld- 
ridge was its Moderator. He was a man of great 
practical wisdom, as well as superior intellectual gifts 
and attainments. When the Council had retired, and 
prayer for divine guidance been offered, the Moderator 
said: "Brethren, before we enter upon a discussion of 
this case, I desire to make one remark. In this world 
there are two kinds of fools. One kind are devilish 
fools; the other, natural fools. My judgment clearly 
is, that this brother belongs to the latter class." The 
Council adopted this judgment, and advised the 
church to act accordingly. They did so; and the 
pastor speedily resigned. 



234 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

XXII. 
EVOLUTION. 

The most satisfactory statement of this doctrine that 
I ever read, in so condensed a form, is from a sermon 
by the Rev. A. M. Fairbairn, D. D. : 

I do not reject evolution. I accept it, because it com- 
pels us to form a worthier conception of God. It does not 
allow us to think of him as standing apart from the world 
and seeing it go ; touching it where it needs repair or 
where it calls for improvement. But we are forced to 
think of him as living and working within it — the energy 
that moves all things. Second, it supplies us with invin- 
cible evidence of his existence and government. If evo- 
lution be the process of creation, then what emerges in 
the result must have been contained in the cause. Since 
mind is in the fruit, it must have been in the root. The 
process which unfolds reason must have had reason as its 
infolded, yet efficient and sufficient, cause. 

Dr. McCosh says, " ^ Development ' cannot account 
for four things : For origin ; for adaptation ; for 
beneficent law ; for life, mind, will, worship.^^ 

Canon Farrar " turns the tables.^' He said : 

To most of the points raised by skeptics, Christendom 
frankly responds, " I do not know." Now, let the tables 
be turned. " Where did matter come from ? Can a dead 
thing: create itself? Where did motion come from? 
Where did life come from, save the finger-tip of Omnipo- 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 235 

tence ? "Whence came the exquisite order and design of 
Nature? If one told you that millions of printers' types 
should fortuitously shape themselves into the Divine 
Comedy of Dante, or the plays of Shakespeare, would you 
not think him a madman? Whence came consciousness? 
Who gave you free will ? Whence came conscience ? " 

Dr. Farrar truly says : 

He who denies the existence of God in the face of such 
questions as these, talks simply stupendous nonsense. To 
concede that we cannot comprehend infinity can never 
weaken the position of a Christian. Clearly apprehend 
it, and the belief in God's power and his providence logi- 
cally follow. 

XXIII. 

EXTEMPORAlfEOUS PREACHLNG. 

It is claimed that the churches are demanding more 
and more extemporaueousness in preaching. My 
judgment is, that what they most desire is, well- 
digested, appropriate. Scriptural sermons, delivered 
naturally ; and that these being given, they are indif- 
ferent as to the presence or absence of manuscripts in 
the pulpit. The fact is, that much which is received 
as extemporaneous is merely recitative; and this 
sometimes leads to ludicrous errors. 

An eminent preacher in Troy, who was charged 
with lukewarm uess on the subject of temperance, 



236 A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 

while delivering a memoriter sermon, having his 
thought directed to the next sentence, trusted his 
tongue to quote a familiar passage, and with great 
emphasis said, " Milk for babes, and strong drink for 
men/' He lived and died without knowing what 
caused *^ the audible smile " of his congregation at 
that utterance. In former years, the pastor of our 
First Church of Albany and myself were invited to 
preach dedication sermons at the opening of a new 
church edifice in Columbia County. He was not only 
a superior sermonizer, but had rare capabilities of ex- 
temporization. On this occasion he took with him a 
written sermon, prepared with special care, but kept 
it in his pocket while preaching. I preached from a 
manuscript in view of all the people. The chief 
deacon of that church was bitterly opposed to written 
sermons. And I knew it. On our way to his house, 
after the services, all located on the one seat of his 
buggy, he good-naturedly rallied me on the irreligious- 
ness of ^' using paper in the pulpit," the weakness of 
depending on written sermons, and the manifold ad- 
vantages of freedom for the inflow of the Holy Spirit, 
and triumphantly said, that my brother, though my 
junior, had set me a good example that day. I 
smilingly endorsed it all ; for, of course, I would not 
betray my associate. During the ride, however, it 



A FOKTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 237 

raiued, and as we huddled together, the large manu- 
script dropped out of his coat pocket, and fell upon 
the floor of tlie carriage, exposed to the rain. I was 
the first who saw it lying there; but with difficulty 
kept silent until, as we were getting out, I could re- 
strain myself no longer, and cried : 

"Deacon, deacon, come and get your extempora- 
neous sermon, for it is getting thoroughly sprinkled,* 
which I know you don't believe in ! " 

The good man was adequate to the occasion. As he 
saw the vexed confusion of the preacher, he said : 

"Nevermind, brother; it is far better to keep a 
written sermon in your pocket than preach from it in 
the pulpit." 

Mv conviction is, that amid the diversities of or- 
ganizations and gifts, each minister should find out in 
what way be can best preach the gospel, and then 
adopt that. My own preference is for full notes, 
which, while keeping stress from the memory, leaves 
freedom for inspirations. 



XXIV. 

DAILY READINESS. 

Connected with our church was a family consisting 
of a widow, one daughter, and two sons. The widow 



238 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

was truly " a mother in Israel.'' Her home was an 
asylum for the needy. Her children were her glory, 
because to her they were all that children could be. 
One of her sons was a superior yqung man, but he was 
a cripple. The other was a splendid specimen of 
atliletic physical, as well as moral manhood. Em- 
ployed in a mill, near our city, the water-wheel, 
during a severe winter, became frozen fast, and he 
relieved it with an axe sooner than he expected. Its 
sudden revolution crushed one of his legs. As soon 
as I heard of it I took his mother to the house into 
which he had been carried, and as I opened the door, 
and she saw the sad sight, she could go no further. 
With wonderful self-control, in tender tones, he ex- 
claimed : 

^' Mother, bear this as well as you can. Thank the 
Lord, that before I went to work this morning, I 
asked him to give me grace for whatever might hap- 
pen to-day. I did not know that this was to happen ; 
but, blessed be his name, he gives me grace to endure 
it." 

Despite the deprivation of a limb, he became not 
only a useful Christian, but a successful business man. 
In the grand old Glasgow Cathedral is a tomb, upon 
which is engraven this question, which every visitor 
must read : " Are you ready ? " 



A FOKTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 239 

XXV. 

A WORTHY WANT. 

One of the most eminent of American ministers 
said these grand words, which I think worthy of rec- 
ord : " I am not anxious about my own salvation. I 
wish I was as sure about some other things as I am 
about that. The Lord cannot cast off a man who 
loves him ; and if I do not, nobody does. I know 
that he loves me. Not that I am perfect. Not that 
I am not shaken here and there by infirmities ; but he 
is my hope and my confidence. I am not, therefore, 
so anxious about my salvation as I am about another 
thing ; and that is the bearing with me every day the 
inspiration which comes from that quality that results 
from the infusion of the divine mind into my own — a 
finer perception, a purer imagination, more of the ele- 
ment which determines moral truths; a mind that 
pulsates, irradiates, with the impress of the divine in- 
fluence. 

^' AVhat I want is to have my dav like a crvstal — 
unstreaked, clear, transparent, unclouded by base pas- 
sions, free from envy, from jealousy, from hard and 
cruel pride, from every distemper, and to have full 
use of myself, of my reason, and my moral senti- 
ments.'' 



240 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

XXVI. 

GUARDING A GOOD NAME. 

Many years ago, Thomas Baldwin, d. d., was one of 
the most eminent ministers of our denomination in 
New England. He had a long and successful pasto- 
rate in Boston, where his name is still revered by 
elderly people. After his death his widow came to 
our city to inquire as to whether I was related to her 
husband. I proposed to her that without investiga- 
tion we should assume that we were intimately con- 
nected, and that if anybody denied it, we should de- 
mand that they prove the contrary. The charming 
old lady was delighted with my proposition, accepted 
it, and went home happy. On one of her husband's 
preaching tours, he reached a thinly populated district 
in New Hampshire, late at night, way-worn and 
weary, and asked entertainment of the mistress of a 
house near the road. She peremptorily refused his 
request, assigning several reasons — such as the danger 
of entertaining wandering strangers and the absence of 
her husband ; and advised him not to waste time, 
but hurry on. The doctor did not stir a step, but 
urged his claims on her hospitality. Finally, she 
asked who he was, and what occupation he followed. 
He informed her that his name was Baldwin, and 
that he was a Baptist preacher from Boston. 



A FORTY -ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 241 

"Is it possible," she exclaimed, "that you are the 
Rev. Dr. Baldwin ? " 

Modestly he replied that so he was called. Then 
with tender, womanly emotion, she cried : 

"Dear sir, do come in. I shall feel myself and my 
house honored by your presence; for your name is 
known and revered throughout all this country." 

The old man stood still. His heart was deeply 
moved. At length he said : 

"Madam, is that true? Is my name known and 
honored in your country, where I thought I was un- 
known ? " She assured him that such was the fact. 
Then with tearful solemnitv he added : 

" If that is so, then I must guard that name with 
greater watchfulness than evet'J^ 

To no one in the world is "a good name" so essen- 
tial as to a Christian minister. Verily, by him, espe- 
cially, it is " rather to be chosen than great riches." 
He cannot guard it too assiduously; for as his "name" 
is, so will his influence be ; so will be his power to do 
good to men, and glorify God. 



XXYIL 

A QUIETING TEXT. 

Once, on the sea-shore, during a vacation, I became 
dangerously ill. There I was visited by many brother 

Q 



242 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

mmisters, one of whom said he never expected to see 
me as^ain, " until we met beyond the stars/' After I 
was brought home, our people did generously all that 
could be done. Not able to preach for several months, 
one of my brethren engaged a Hamilton student to 
fill the pulpit, and himself paid the expense. Another 
brother, to whom I was specially attached, did not 
come to see me, but with assurances of his love, sent 
me a passage of Scripture, which I had never noticed 
before. It soothed and comforted me then, and has 
done so many times since. I commend it to other suf- 
ferers, as my brother commended it to me : " Thus 
saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in returning 
and rest shall ye be saved ; in quietness and in confi- 
dence shall be your strength.^' (Isa. 30 : 15.) 

"Be quiet, Soul: 
Why shouldst thou care and sadness borrow, 
"Why sit in nameless fear and sorrow, 

Thy hiding day? 
God will mark out thy path to-morrow, 

In his best way. 

" Be quiet. Soul : 
There is no need of doubt and crying. 
There is no need of anxious sighing, 

God's love to know : 
Dost thou not remember his dying. 

Who loved thee so ? " 



A FOETY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 243 

xxyiii. 

HOLINESS DEFINED. 

During my student years, Pbarcellus Church, D. D., 
was recognized as one of tiie ablest, most scholarly 
ministers in our State. The success of his pastorate in 
Rochester, the superiority of his special sermons, and 
the excellence of his published writings, gave him a 
wide-spread reputation. Some rich man offered a prize 
of a thousand dollars for the best essay on " Christian 
Union.^' Ablest men of the different denominations 
competed, but Dr. Clmrch won it; and his book, en- 
titled '• Religious Dissensions — Their Cause and Cure,'^ 
deserves a permanent place in sacred literature. I 
heard wise old ministers express regrets that such a 
brilliant mind had devoted more to philosophical than 
Biblical studies ; but as a man and a preacher he im- 
pressed me more than any other I had heard up to 
that time. His unostentatious dignity in the pulpit, 
the obvious honesty and strength of his convictions, the 
intensity of his repressed earnestness, as well as the 
originality of his thinking, and freshness of his 
abundant illustrations, charmed me. 

In a grand sermon on ^' Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord," I heard him give these illustrations, 
and this definition : 

" The tongue, when in a perfectly healthy condition, 



244 A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

experiences exactly the sensations which substances of 
opposite qualities are adapted to provide. The ear — 
precisely the impressions which sounds, discordant or 
harmonious, are adapted to make ; the eye — sees 
things, whether beautiful or ugly, just as they really 
are. On the perfect optic nerve a perfect image is 
formed. So, holiness is that condition of our spirit- 
ual natures in which they experience precisely those 
effects which truth and error, right and wrong are, in 
themselves, adapted to cause." 

I have often given this definition to brethren, and 
have not met with one who did not admire it. In 
honor of the man I loved, and the preacher I admired, 
and because of its intrinsic worth, I place it here, on 
permanent record. 



XXIX. 

FEAR OF A LAWYER. 

There was an eminent lawyer who for years, during 
his residence in Troy, regularly attended our church 
services, once a day. He was a man of noble personal 
appearance, vigorous intellect, deep knowledge, wide 
experience in his profession, and had a far-spread rep- 
utation as an orator. He would sit in the seat nearest 
tlie pulpit, and for a long time I preached in fear of 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 245 

him ; for I knew that if I was ungrammatical in lan- 
guage, sophistical in argument, mistaken as to fact, or 
merely professional in zeal, he would instantly detect 
it. It was my constant effort, therefore, to be natural, 
correct, and conscientious. One day, I told another 
eminent lawyer of this embarrassment, and he re- 
sponded in substantially these words: 

" My dear sir, you need not be afraid of brother B., 
or any one of our profession ; for the truth is — that 
whilst we do know a great deal on other subjects — we 
know mighty little about the Bible.^^ 

From that moment my fear departed, in view of the 
fact that in my profession I could teach my distin- 
guished hearer, just as really as in his he could teach 
me. It will aid young ministers to remember that 
unto them " are committed the oracles of God," and 
that they are divinely appointed expositors of them to 
all men. 



XXX. 

HEAEINa BOTH SIDES. 

Because of the personal friendship and attendance 
upon our church services, as well as my admiration 
of the forensic ability and eloquence of the lawyer 
referred to in the preceding note, I went to our court 



246 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

to hear him whenever he had an important case. On 
one such occasion his opponent was a lawyer of equal 
though of different abilities from his own, and he 
made, what seemed to me — for I had not heard the 
testimony — a perfectly conclusive argument. So sat- 
isfied was I that such was the fact, that I left the 
court, because I could not bear to hear my friend 
struo-o-le ao;ainst the inevitable, which I was sure 
awaited him. Meeting him the next day, he said : 

" Why did you leave the court yesterday ? Your de- 
parture depressed me." 

" Mr. B./' I replied, '' you had no case. Both the 
law and the testimony were against you, and I felt 
that I could not endure your sophisticating for an 
hour or two, and I would not witness your failure." 
"With an expression of triumph and satisfaction on his 
face, he simply said : 

" Sir J I won my suiV^ 

Never since then have I allowed myself to form a 
decisive judgment of any person, any conduct, any 
subject, until I was sure that, to the best of my oppor- 
tunities, I had become acquainted with both sides of 
the case. 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 247 

XXXI. 

A LITTLE THIXG. 

President Lincolu said that, ^'in the most insig- 
nificant law-suit, he saw the elements of universal 
jurisprudence." It is wonderful what far-reaching 
results may flow from a small cause. A kindness 
may propitiate an enemy; a neglect alienate a friend. 
Seeds are little things. A minister said to me: '"I 
depend for my influence upon my public efforts." 
'•'Don't you know, dear brother," I responded, "that 
the estimate people place upon your 'public eflbrts,' 
is laro:elv determined bv their feeling^s toward vou? 
and that those feelins^s are lar^elv determined bv 
your personal treatment of them and theirs?" 

In illustration of this, I record a fact. In Albany 
County there is a "family" of that excellent, if ec- 
centric people, who are called Shakers. I had often 
hoard that an eminent "elderess" often spoke kindly 
of our church and pastor. Lately, I learned why 
she did so. She savs that some thirtv-five vears ag^o 
she was a child in our Sunday-school, and that, dur- 
ing the sickness of her mother, the pastor had done 
some little kindness for the family, which so im- 
pressed her young heart, that it has influenced her 
to thouti^htful tenderness toward us, throus^h thirtv- 
five vears ! Our adorable Lord said, " Because thou 



248 A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority 
over ten cities." Kev. F. W. Eobertson wrote : 
"The one who will be found in trial, capable of 
great acts of love, is ever the one who is always 
doing considerate small ones." Dr. John Hall de- 
clares that " kind looks, kind words, kind acts, and 
warm shakes of the hand are the secondary means of 
grace." 

" The trifles of our daily lives — 

The common things — scarce worth recall, 
Whereof no visible trace survives — 
These are the main-springs, after all." 



XXXII. 

THE GREATEST DUTY — MOST NEGLECTED. 

The preaching during this pastorate was character- 
istically practical, by far too much so, according to 
my present judgment. I now see that the duties 
chiefly emphasized were externalities, rather than in- 
ternalities. The chief of all duties is to love. That 
is the first and greatest commandment of the law, and 
the fundamental prerequisite of the gospel — without 
which all gifts, all attainments, all activities, " profit 
nothino;." The best analysis of 1 Cor. 13, I ever 
saw, is that given by Prof. Drummond, author of 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 249 

" Natural Law in the Spiritual World" — which is a 
book every youug minister ought to study. He shows 
that in Christian love there are these nine essential 
virtues : that '•' patience is love sufifering ; kindness is 
love in action; humility is love vaunting not itself; 
generosity is love envying not ; courtesy is love 
acring properly ; unselfishness is love seeking not 
her own ; good temper is love not easily provoked ; 
guilelessness is love thinking no evil; sincerity is 
love rejoicing not in iniquity, but in the truth. 
He says " love is greater than faith, because the 
end is greater than the means '* ; and greater than 
*•' charity," because the whole is greater than the part. 
A greater than Drummond wrote, ^* Every one that 
loveth is born of God and knoweth God, for God is 
love." Emerson wrote, "As much love, so much 
knowledge." Xeauder, " Heart makes the theolo- 
gian." Bacon, * In knowledge without love there 
is something of malignity " ; " love is the epitome 
of duty," and we all know that " love makes our 
willinor feet in swift obedience move." 

Dr. Watson wrote that " to attempt to serve God 
without love, is like rowing against the tide. But 
love oils the wheels and makes duties sweet. The 
angels are swift-winged in God's service, because they 
love him. Love is never weary." 



250 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

" All actions take their hue 
From the complexion of the heart — 
As landscapes their variety from light." 

An eminent pastor said : " I find nothing so hard in 
my Christian life as to love. It is easy to be fairly good, 
faithful in attending to the outward duties of my pro- 
fession, to criticise the shortcomings of my people; but 
to keep myself rooted and grounded in love, to do 
good and love those who don't like me, that is my 
great difficulty, and yet I know that only as I live the 
life of love in my soul, am I either happy or useful." 
This beautiful sentence is by Rev. F. W, Faber : " The 
colored sunset and the starry heavens, the splendid 
mountains and shining seas, the fragrant woods and 
perfumed flowers — none of these are half so beautiful 
as a soul who is serving Jesus — out of love — in the 
wear and tear of common, unpoetic life." 

" For, when self-seeking turns to love, 
Not knowing mine, or thine, 
The miracle again is wrought, 
And water turned to wine." 

The following testimony was given by Professor 
Drummond to the young men of Northfield, gathered 
at one of Mr. Moody's great annual assemblies : 

I have seen almost ail the beautiful things that influ- 
ence men ; I have enjoyed almost every pleasure that God 
has planned for men, and now I can look back and see 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 251 

standing out, above all the life that has gone far on for- 
ever, short experiences when the love of God reflected 
itself in some pure motive, some small act. That is the 
thing that I get comfort from now, when I think of my 
past life. My brothers, in closing, may I remind you that 
in that time when the judgment day is come, and we be- 
hold One sitting upon a throne and dividing the sheep 
from the goats, that the test of a man is not '* How have I 
believed " ? but " How have I loved? " The final test of 
religion at the great assizes is not religiousness, but love. 
Not what I have done, not what I believe, not what I 
have achieved, but how I have loved ; according to the 
number of cups of cold water we have given in Christ's 
name. Oh, may I join the choir invisible of the immortal 
dead, who live again in lives made better by the present. 



XXXIII. 

SUBMISSION TO GOD'S WTLL. 

"What infinite capabilities are wrapt up in one idea! 
History records that ^' Rev. Daniel Hascall first sug- 
gested the idea" of "the New York Baptist Educa- 
tion Society/^ out of which came the " Hamilton Lit- 
erary and Theological Institution," which has expanded 
into the grand proportions of " Madison University." 
With his earliest associate, however, Nathaniel Ken- 
drick, D. D., all tbe trials and triuraplis of this great 
enterprise are chiefly connected. He early became the 



252 A FORTY -ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

recognized leader; for, as in physical proportions, 
*^from his shoulders and upwards he was higher" 
than his brethren, so, in intellectual capacities and ex- 
ecutive abilities he was more exalted than they. 

Alas ! what inexpressibly sad results, also, are 
, wrapped up in an apparently trivial event ! While 
returning from Professor Eaton's house on the hill, 
the good doctor slipped and fell upon the ice-covered 
ground. No serious results were apprehended. But 
it laid him aside forever ! During more than two 
years he was unable to stand, or sit, or even turn in 
his bed without assistance. His limbs became help- 
less, but keenly sensitive, and he often endured excru- 
ciating agonies. Such were his patience and fortitude, 
that he is not remembered to have uttered one mur- 
muring word. On one occasion, a brother, sitting by 
his bedside, said : 

" Dear Doctor, I wish I could bear some of your 
pains, that you might have some rest ! " 

No reply came from the sufferer's lips for a few mo- 
ments. Then " a light such as never shone on sea or 
shore," illumed his pallid, but noble face, and he 
replied : 

" Thank you, beloved, but it is the will of my 
Heavenly Father that I should bear them all; I can- 
not, therefore, spare you one of them ! " 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 253 

Has universal Christian biography, or even the 
Bible itself, a record of more complete submission to 
the will of God than that ? Does it not demonstrate 
the omnipotencj of faith, and the exceeding riches of 
the grace of God, in Christ Jesus, our adorable Lord ? 



xxxiy. 

THE pastor's wife. — LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 

"Nearer is heaven than ever we know, 

As we look with a trembling dread, 
At the misty future that stretches on — 

From the silent homes of the dead. 
For the eye of the Christian that shuts in death 

Will open at once in bliss, 
And the welcome will sound in the heavenly world, 

Ere the farewell is hushed in this." 

It did not seem proper to obtrude my private afflic- 
tions upon those who may honor me by reading my 
" Notes of a Pastorate '^ ; but, it may interest them to 
know that of the twenty -six persons w^ho, for a longer 
or shorter time, have been members of my family, half 
of them are now in heaven, and the other half have 
homes of their own on earth. More than half of our 
seven children preceded their mother to the everlasting 
home. Incomparably, however, the greatest affliction 
of my whole life was her departure, for, during forty- 



254 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

six blessed years she had been my chief blessing, my 
dependence, my crown, my glory. She embodied the 
highest type of Christian womanhood, wifehood, and 
motherhood. In the funeral sermon, preached by our 
son in the gospel, Rev. Ezra De Freest Simons, he 
truthfully said : 

" She was worthy of being compared with the 
noble women whose names are celebrated in mission 
stor3^ Her life was one long, sweet Psalm. Her 
death a triumphant entrance into the King's Palace.^' 

Our pastor, Rev. L. M. Haynes, D. d., wrote of 
her : 

" Althouo-h distino-uished in her family connections, 
as the mother of ministers, in the church, where she 
was the pastor's wife for more than forty years, is the 
chief record of her useful career. The universal tes- 
timony there is willing witness to a service as beauti- 
ful in self-sacrifice, as it was unexampled in length.^' 

Just before her ascension, with perfect calmness she 
prayed, " O Lord, if this is thy will, thy will be done. 
I leave them all with thee." 

Soon afterwards, when the present was be-gloomed, 
and the earthly future seemed hopeless, this precious 
portion of Holy Scripture came to me like a fresh 
revelation. Job 11: 15, 16, 17: "Thou shalt be 
steadfast, and not fear; thou shalt forget thy misery, 



A FORTY-OXE YEARs' PASTORATE. 255 

and remember it, as waters that pass away ; and 
thine ao:e shall be clearer than the noon-dav : thou 
shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.'^ 
What a cluster of promises ! First, " Thou shalt be 
steadfast, and not fear.'' Second, "Thou shalt forget," 
what? Not thy sense of loss, not thy corrective dis- 
cipline; but the " misery" of it; that '-'like waters" 
shall "pass away." Third, " Thine age," shall not be 
darkened, " It shall be clearer than the noon-day " ; 
and finally, what a climax ? " Thou " thyself, shall 
not be sad and miserable ; but " shalt shine forth," 
bright and hopeful, " as the morning " ! So, I sing : 

" Not on me or mine, the solemn angel 

Hath evil wrought ; 
His funeral anthem is a glad evangel, 

The good die not. 
God calls our loved ones ; but we lose not wholly 

What he hath given ; 
They live on earth, in thought, and deed, as truly 

As they live in heaven." 

" Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to 
the Holy Ghost." 



PART FOURTH. 



THE EXD. 



*' The things concernins: me have an end." — Luke 



o 



22: 31. 



" The God of bounds, 

Who sets to seas a shore, 
Came to me, on his fated rounds, 

And said, * No more,' * No more ' I 

" * Ko longer spread thy broad ambitious branches, 
Nor thy roots. Fancy departs. No more invent. 

Contract thy firmament. 
To the compass of a tent.' 

" As the bird trims him to the gale, 
I trim myself to the storm of time ; 

I man the rudder, furl the sail, 

Obey the voice at even, as at prime. 

" Lowly, faithful, banish fear — 

Right onward drive unharmed ; 
The past is well worth, the end is near, 

And every billowy wave is charmed. 

E. W. Emerson. 



257 



PART FOURTH. 



THE END. 



I. 

COMIIEMORATIVE SEBMON. 

After an extensive revival in 1882, during which 
I baptized seventy converts, when greatly exhausted, I 
was stricken with pneumonia, which threatened fatal 
results; but they were averted by God's blessing upon 
the skillful services of my beloved family physician, 
Dr. E. S. Coburn. It left me, however, so debili- 
tated, that I could preach only once a day during the 
two succeeding years. The kindness and patience of our 
people were wonderful. On the 13th of July, 1884, 
they commemorated our fortieth anniversary, upon 
which occasion I preached the following summing up 
sermon. 

SERMON. 

" Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God 
led thee these forty years." Deut. 8 : 2. 

We are accustomed to speak of Moses as the leader of 
the Hebrew Nation. He never applied that title to him- 
self; but evermore recognized Jehovah as the Supreme 

259 



260 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

Leader, both of himself and of the people. Therefore, 
as one of his farewell instructions, he bade them remem- 
ber all the way which the Lord God had led them during 
those forty wonderful years. 

When a student in the seminary at Hamilton, I received 
the following communication : 

Troy, July 19th, 1844. 
Dear Brother Baldwin : 

The First Baptist Church, Troy, have directed me to extend 
a call to you to become their pastor, so long as a mutual under- 
standing shall exist between yourself and them in that relation, 
which I have the pleasure to inform you is unanimous, and that 
the relation should commence at as early a day as can be consist- 
ent with your sense of duty. 

They have also directed me to make known to you by a unani- 
mous vote, that they will give you for your services at the rate of 
$800 for the present year, ending on the first of May, 1845, pay- 
able quarterly. They choose rather not to name any sum beyond 
that time, with the strong hope and prayer to Almighty God, that 
your labors may be so blessed, that at the expiration of the year 
a more liberal sum may be given you. 

And now, dear brother, may the Great Shepherd of the Church 
soon enable you to decide the important question presented to you, 
and may it be in accordance with the united and fervent prayer of 
the church. 

Yours sincerely and affectionately in the bond of the gospel, 

JOSEPH HASTINGS, 

Special Committee in behalf of the Church. 

From the date of this " call," you perceive that precise- 
ly the same period mentioned in our text has elapsed. Be 
it ours now, as best we can, to perform the duty specified, 
and remember at least in meagre outline, the way in 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 261 

which the Lord our God hath led us during these forty 
years. 

The ground on which we have worshiped during all 
this time, was conveyed as a gift from Jacob D. Vander- 
heyden and wife, in 1796, to this church, which had been 
organized in an u}3per room* on River Street, October 
15th, 1795; and upon it was erected a small building 
which was enlarged in 1817. In 1846, this edifice was 
built, and thoroughly repaired and beautified three years 
ago. The pastors who have served this church previous 
to 1844, were Reverends Charles J. Somers, Francis Way- 
laud, Leland Howard, B. M. Hill, John Cookson, and L. 
O. Lovell. During these forty years, 1,805 persons have 
been received into the church by baptism; 586 by letter; 
283 by experience, and 46 have been restored. Total 
2,720. There have been dismissed from us 1,078 by let- 
ter; 416 dropped for absenteeism ; 163 excluded, and 357 
by death. Our present membership, as reported to our 
last Association, 716. During this period we have licensed 
twelve brethren to preach the gospel; had our represent- 
atives in the beloved Haswells on our foreign mission- 
fields, and contributed for the support of the gospel, at 
home and abroad, more than S215,000. 

It is with gratitude I record that the financial credit 
of this church and society has always been maintained. 
This has been owing partly to the liberality and prompt- 
itude of our people in sustaining our plan of systematic 
benevolence; partly to the eflaciency of our trustees, and 
specially to our treasurei*, Francis A. Fales, who was elect- 
ed to that office, April 15th, 1855. For nearly thirty 



262 A FORTY-ONE YEiRS' PASTORATE. 

years he has not only faithfully performed the duties of 
that office; but besides contributing liberally himself, has 
often advanced large sums of money to meet exigencies. 
And I bear grateful, public testimony, that he has not 
only paid his pastor's salary promptly, whether church 
funds were in hand or not, but sometimes, when needed, 
paid it before it was due. The relation of such unre- 
warded, and often unappreciated services, to the prosper- 
ity of a church, is most intimate, and I am sure the Head 
of the Church will remember them as they deserve. In 
connection with the Fifth Street Baptist Church, which was 
formed in 1843, by a devoted band of men and women 
dismissed from this church for that purpose, we have or- 
ganized three other Baptist churches in this city, and 
always been in hearty practical sympathy with our be- 
loved denomination in its efforts to extend the Kingdom 
of the Redeemer throughout the world. During this 
period your pastor has officiated at 2,118 weddings, and 
at about as many funerals. 

With the passing years new forms of organized Chris- 
tian activity have sprung up among us. To-day, in addi- 
tion to a Board of Trustees of which A. M. Church is 
President and F. A. Fales,Treasurer ; a Board of Deacons, 
of which Joseph DeGolyer and F. A. Sheldon are seniors, 
having been elected at the same time in 1861 ; a Sunday- 
school, of which William Shaw, Esq., is Superintendent ; 
we have also a Board of Systematic Benevolence, 
of which Deacon R. Everingham is President, and H. 
G. Howe, Secretary ; a Church and Sunday-school Mis- 
sionary Society, of which F. H. Knox is President and 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 263 

Daniel W. Ford, Treasurer, -which position he has faith- 
fully occupied fourteen years ; a Ladies' Home and For- 
eign Missionary Society, of which Mrs. A. M. Church is 
President, Mrs. J. L. Sugden, Secretary; an Industrial 
Society, of which Mrs. George Chapman is President, and 
Mrs. H. Losee is Secretary ; a Covenant Band, which is 
an organization of our younger people for worship and for 
work, of which L. A. Wemple is President, and Mrs. 
Frank Stanley is Secretary ; a Literary and Musical 
Union, of which George Shrauder is President and Miss 
Frances Crow is Secretary ; a society called " Willing 
Workers," composed of our young sisters who sew and 
otherwise aid the poor, of which Lillie Chapin is Presi- 
dent, Julia Harrison, Secretary ; we have also our City 
Missionary, Miss Emraeline Hanna. 

This church has cherished an interest in education, and 
I record with grateful pleasure that Jason C. Osgood, one 
of our trustees, and James Wager, who was both a trus- 
tee and a member of our church 39 years, and a laborer 
in our Sunday-school during over 30 years, each gave at 
one time $1,200 to endow scholarships at Madison Uni- 
versity, the seven per cent interest of which is to be per- 
petually devoted to aiding needy young men in obtaining 
an education. Wise, beneficent acts, were they not ? In 
this way, each of them gives $84 every year to one of 
the noblest objects of Christian benevolence. On the sub- 
ject of temperance, I rejoice to say, that we have always 
stood in the front rank. We are grateful that members 
of this church were chiefly instrumental in the coming to 
Troy of that noble, truly Christian reformer, Francis 



264 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

Murphy, God bless him ! and that while he labored here 
we sustained him more devotedly than any other organi- 
zation. And while some have gone farther, and many 
have fallen back from it, we stand to-day — " With malice 
towards none and charity for all," squarely on the Mur- 
phy pledge — of " Total abstinence from all intoxicants as a 
beverage" and I firmly believe, that if all temperance 
people would abandon ultraistic side issues, and stand 
unitedly, lovingly on that pledge, the day of the univer- 
sal triumph of the sacred cause, with which all the social, 
civil and religious interests of society are identified, would 
be rapidly hastened. 

It is a matter of very grateful remembrance, also, that 
when the armed forces aimed at the overthrow of our 
national government, seventy-five volunteers went from 
our congregation during the war, and joined the army. 
Ten of them never came back. Their precious bodies 
sleep in patriot graves. 

" But never shall they rest unsung. 
Twine Gratitude, a wreath for them 
More fadeless than the diadem." 

During all these years we have been earnest believers 
in revivals of religion, and in the use of legitimate means 
for their promotion. To this end we have often secured 
the aid of evangelistic services, which have been greatly 
blessed. And finally, it is with inexpressible satisfaction 
and joy, that I call to your remembrance the truth, that 
during all the agitations, broils, and strifes of these many 
years we have lived in peace among ourselves, we have 
kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ; and 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS* PASTORATE. 265 

been entire strangers to the dissensions which so often 
mar and rend the body of Christ, and bring disgrace 
upon our blessed Christianity. You will bear witness 
that more and more we are realizing the New Testament 
ideal of a Christian church. That it is not a formal, cold, 
ecclesiastical organization, but a Christian family, of 
which God is the Father, Jesus the Elder Brother, and 
all of us, whatever our social positions or posessions, not 
in name only, but in fact, brothers and sisters — with equal 
rights and equal responsibilities, sharing mutual woes, 
bearino; mutual burdens, and so fulfilling the law of 
Christ. 

And now, in view of this mere outline of our history 
since 1844, proceed with me to consider some of the re- 
flections which it suggests. 

1. You feel, I am sure, that first of all, humble, adoring 
gratitude is due from us to the Lord our God, who ha^ thus led 
us these forty years. Because this is so obvious I need not 
urge it. Suffice it to say, that if we remember favoring 
circumstances, we will not forget that he is God of provi- 
dence. If we recall high degrees of efficiency among our 
people, we will not forget that all of our "sufficiency has 
been of him." If there has been continued planting and 
watering, full well we know that *'he gave the increase." 
"Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is 
there any divination against Israel ; according to this 
time it shall be said of us, What hath God wrought?" As 
a public expression of the depth, tenderness, and fullness 
of our gratitude, I now pause, and ask all to arise and 
sing as never before: 



266 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

" Praise God from whom all blessings flow, 
Praise him all creatures here below, 
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 

2. You feel also, I am sure, the duty of gratefully re- 
membering the men and women who bore our church burdens 
in the past, and have been transferred to the church tri- 
umphant. Few know how much time, toil, tears, prayer, 
patience, and money it requires, in order that a church 
may grow up out of weakness into self-sustaining strength, 
and broad usefulness. Such service our departed did for 
us. They built and paid for the church property we now 
own. They kept the fires on God's altars here perpetu- 
ally burning through seasons of adversity and often of 
severe trial. We have entered into the fruits of their 
labors, prayers, and benevolence. The great majority of 
those who were here forty years ago have long since gone. 
Three hundred and fifty-seven of them have died since 
then. What a congregation ! My heart melts, my eyes 
grow dim with tears, as I remember them — as their be- 
loved forms rise in my imagination ! All of the Deacons 
who so cordially welcomed their young Pastor — Joseph 
Hastings, Calvin Warner, Abraham Numan, Gideon 
Buckingham, and Curtis Wilbur have long since entered 
into " the rest that remaineth." The trustees, who when 
this house was built, after giving and collecting all they 
could, found themselves to their amazement in debt $14,- 
000, which seemed a burden far too great for the church 
to carry, and was likely to utterly discourage it, made no 
report of their condition, but pledged their personal credit 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 267 

for the security of the debt ; and thank God, they lived to 
see it all paid — these and hundreds more, one by one, 
bade us adieu, and have gone to the Father's house on 
high. I see them there, crowned, radiant with bliss, busy 
in high ministries ; and I am sure, that not one of that 
glorious throng now regrets the time he devoted, the tears 
he shed, the labor he performed, the money he gave, to 
promote the interests of the church he loved while on 
earth, and loves still, in heaven ! Of all who were mem- 
bers of the church in 1844, only 26, by actual count, are 
"with us now ! All benedictions on you, dearly beloved ! 
God grant that you may long be spared to bless us with 
your presence, your counsels, your prayers and co-opera- 
tion! 

" One family, we dwell in him, 

One church above, beneath, 
Though now divided by the stream, 

The narrow stream of death." 

3. The experiences of these years has demonstrated 
the relation between faithful church membership, and growth 
of personal character and usefulness. As a result of these 
experiences and observation we know that the following 
are facts in actual life, confirmed by the testimony .of all 
churches. It is a fact, that however truly one may be- 
come a Christian, his Christianitv does not amount to 
much, either to himself or to others, unless he obeys Christ 
and publicly joins a Christian church. It is a fact, that 
the best Christians are the best church members ; and that 
those who are most loyal to the churches to which they 
belong, are most loyal to God and humanity elsewhere. It 



268 A FOETY-ONE YEAES' PASTOEATE. 

is a fact, that those who keep in closest practical sympa- 
thy with these churches keep closest to God. It is a fact, 
that they who contribute most to Zion's prosperity find 
themselves most prosperous in spiritual development, and 
in widening usefulness. It is a fact, that they are the 
happiest, most hopeful Christians who can sing most 
honestly from their central hearts : 

"1 love thy church, O God, 
Her walls before thee stand, 
Dear as the apple of thine eye, 
And graven on thy hand. 

" For her my tears shall fall. 
For her my prayers ascend. 
To her my cares and toils be given, 
Till toils and cares shall end." 

It is a fact, that they w^ho in their zeal to promote 
merely moral reform, however good, neglect their church 
duties, violate their covenant obligations, generally back- 
slide in religion, lose their spiritual power, and lessen their 
influence everywhere. It is a fact, that fidelity to church 
duties is not only compatible with, but a positive aid to, 
the faithful discharge of all duties elsewhere. Therefore, 
I beseech especially all the beloved young people whom 
I have baptized, who are " my crown and joy," to adopt 
the language of God's ancient people, and say to the 
church, which so cordially welcomed them to all its priv- 
ileges: "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my 
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not Je- 
rusalem above my chief joy." 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 269 

4. To those who doubt or disbelieve Christianity, I wish 
to bear testimony, that the experiences of these forty years 
have confirmed our faith in its divinity. In this testimony 
I am sure I express that of all our people. It is loudly 
claimed that infidelity is rapidly increasing in our coun- 
try. I do not believe it. I admit, and rejoice in the 
fact, that with progressive science there is progressive dis- 
belief of many of the traditional interpretations of our 
Holy Bible, progressive rejection of many of the dismal 
dogmas of superstition and churchianity; but I am sure 
that in essential Christianity, as embodied, taught, and 
lived by an adorable Saviour, there is growing faith, in- 
creasing confidence. I believe that Christian manhood 
commands a higher premium than ever before, and that 
the world's best thinkers and most practical workers are 
finding out that genuine Christianity meets the universal 
needs of all souls, reconstructs humanity into the very 
image of God, and that all else " leads to bewilder, and daz- 
zles to blind." The perfect consistency between sound 
reason, true science, and pure revelation is being more and 
more comprehended. Therefore, from the altitude of 
nearly fifty yearsof reading, study, experience, and observ- 
ation, I shout : 

" Should all the forms that men devise. 
Attack ray faith with treacherous art, 
I'll call them vanity and lies, 
And bind the gospel to my heart." 

Rejoice, O Christians of every name, that our common 
Christianity is spreading thoughout the world to-day as 



c 



70 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 



never before ; that its grand anthem, " Glory to God in 
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," is 
sung by more human voices than ever ; that its divine 
power is permeating and purifying all forms of personal 
and national life as never before ; that it is marching to 
universal victory, and will do so — 

"'Till the war-drum throbs no more, 
And all battle-flags are furled, 
In the parliament of man, 
The federation of the world." 

5. From this record of the past, we have also learned, 
the compatibility of loyalty to individual churches, with true 
Christian catholicity, and practical unanimity among those 
who ecclesiastically differ. 

We have always abhorred narrow, bigoted sectarianism, 
as a form of intense selfishness, which has done more to 
injure Christianity than all infidelities. But we have 
always believed in a conscientious denominationalism, 
with its well-defined, positive faith, and firm, unyielding 
loyalty to Christ, as it understands him. We have main- 
tained, as did our fathers, the inalienable right of every 
soul to worship God, according to the dictates of its own 
conscience, responsible neither to State or Church, minister 
or priest, but to God alone. Everybody who knows us, 
knows that we are strict Baptists; that over this church 
has ever floated, amid storm and sunshine, our denomina- 
tional banner, on which is inscribed, " One Lord, one faith, 
and one baptism " ; and you will bear witness that during 
all these years, neither for frown or favor has it been 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 271 

lowered one hairbreadth ; and our neighbors will testify, 
that this right to think and act according to our own un- 
derstanding of God's word, which we have claimed for 
ourselves, we have cheerfully accorded to them ; and that 
"we will defend them in the exercise of that, even when 
they differ from us, as readily as we would defend our- 
selves. 

The result has been that, during all these forty years, 
we have dwelt in perfect peace with all the churches, of 
all the denominations ; and been ever ready to co-operate 
with them in Christian work. Since 1844 your pastor has 
personally known over three hundred ministers and mis- 
sionaries of our own denomination, who have finished 
their earthly course. Sixty different pastors of different 
churches have come and gone from Troy. Of these, thirty- 
eight have died here and elsewhere. Thirty-eight judges 
and lawyers, and seventeen physicians, who practised their 
professions in this city, have died here and elsewhere. 
Our oldest pastor now is Rev. Father Peter Haverman, 
of St. Mary's Church, with whom I have been on terms of 
fraternal, neighborly friendship, for thirty years. One of 
the fundamental articles, as you know, of your pastor's 
personal creed is, " that any religion that does not make a 
man a good neighbor is not worth a eenf Surely, friends, 
this record demonstrates the practicability of positive de- 
nominationalism with the broadest Christian charity, and 
sincerest Christian love to all who acknowledge the Su- 
preme Lordship of him of the scarred brow — the world's 
Redeemer. Oh, " how good and how pleasant it is for breth- 
ren to dwell together in unity ! " Surely it is, " as the dew of 



272 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

Hermon that descended upon the mountains of Zion ; for 
there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever- 
more." " By this/' said our adorable Lord, *•' shall all 
men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to 
another." And one inspired apostle wrote, "Above all 
things, have fervent charity among yourselves." And an- 
other declared it to be ",The bond of perfectness." There- 
fore, I pray the apostolic prayer, " The Lord make you to 
increase and abound in love, one toward another, and 
toward all men " ; and that in this way at least our Lord's 
prayer may be answered. " That they all may be one ; as 
thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may 
he one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast 
sent me." 

Finally, my brethren, let us not, amid these precious 
memories of the past, forget that much of what was adapted 
to that past is not adapted to the living present; and that 
we must keep step with the universal progress of this 
wonderful age. Truth itself, like its God, is changeless, 
eternal ; but its development, means, and methods are 
changeable as the varying conditions of humanity. Above 
all, we shall be false to our history, if we do not more and 
more emphasize the fact, that the distinctive mission of a 
gospel church is not merely to provide social entertain- 
ments ; or merely to teach pure moralities ; or merely to 
promote moral reforms, or to minister to aesthetic taste for 
music, architecture, or oratory ; but to sustain the public 
worship of Almighty God, to maintain the two simple, 
but expressive ordinances. Baptism and the Supper, estab- 
lished by Christ, whch symbolize all the fundamental 



A FORTY- ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 273 

facts of Christianity ; to proclaim the truth as it is in 
Jesus; to save lost souls — to bring wanderers back to 
their Father God — and to build up pure, intelligent, broad, 
Christ-like characters. Be assured, that the most apos- 
tolic, most divine church, is the church, whatever name it 
may bear, whatever its past history, or present doctrines 
and polity may be, which embodies most of Christ's 
spirit ; battles best against popular sins ; bears clearest 
testimony to the truth by reproducing it in Christian 
characters, and does most for poor, fallen, depraved 
humanity. 

And now, dearly beloved people, believe me, while 
standing on this threshold, with youth and strong man- 
hood behind me, and old age, with its limitations before 
me, but — with a stronger grasp of the scarred hand than 
ever before — I say of you, as Paul said of his brethren, 
" I have you all in my heart" — which is to-day "pressed" 
as a cart under the load of harvest sheaves, with undying 
memories of your patience, forbearance, sympathy, love, 
and ceaseless loyalty to me as your pastor during one 
whole generation and part of another ; and your continued 
kindness to my family ; on behalf of her, to whom, you 
know, that I am indebted, next to God, for whatever I 
have accomplished or become, whose grand motherhood 
embraces you all ; on behalf of our children in heaven, and 
on earth ; and on my own behalf, — I most profoundly thank 
you, and invoke upon you and your families the richest 
blessings which God can bestow. When, forty years ago, 
you called me to this pastorate, I said — but, oh, with how 
much fuller meaning, deeper tenderness, I say to-day : — 

S 



274 A FORTY-OXE YEAES' PASTORATE. 

"Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy 
palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will 
now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of 
the Lord our God, I will seek thy good." And may grace, 
mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus 
Christ, be upon all his people, all his churches, and upon 
the whole world, whom the Father loved, and for whom 
Jesus died. 

In the evening of the Commemoration, our neighbor- 
ing churches were closed, and the gathering of the peo- 
ple was far beyond the capacity of our house to accom- 
momodate. The pulpit was occupied by twenty minis- 
ters. Deacon George Harrison presided. Scripture 
was read by my son-in-law, Prof. B. S. Terry, and 
prayers offered by my sons, Rev. Charles J. Baldwin 
and Rev. Geo. C. Baldwin, Jr. Felicitous addresses 
were delivered by H. C. Farrar, d. d., of the M. E. 
Church; Wm. Payley, D. D., of the Universalist 
Church ; Hon. Martin I. Townsend, of the Presbyte- 
rian Church ; and Rev. E. D. Simons, of the Baptist 
Church. Letters of congratulation were read by 
Wm. W. Whitman, Esq. _ Of all these precious letters 
I publish these three because they were written by 
brethren occupying such different positions, and illus- 
trate the identity of the spirit of our common Chris- 
tianity. 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 275 

Troy, July 13th, 1884 
To Mr. Harrison, and Gentlemen of the Committee : 
You have done me the honor of inviting me to partici- 
pate this evening in your rejoicing on account of the for- 
tieth anniversary of the venerable Dr. Baldwin's pastor- 
ate in this city. Circumstances over which I have no 
control prevent me from being with you. I thank you 
for the great courtesy and kindness which you have man- 
ifested to me on this occasion, and on so many others, 
publicly and privately. During the past forty years 
many stirring events have occurred in our country and 
city, which at the time called forth all the influence which 
could be commanded. Dangerous occasions, and great 
crises, at times threatened the peace and happiness of us 
all. On these occasions I have often met you, and your 
honored pastor, and thus a friendship has grown up, and 
a common good feeling, which makes life pleasant and 
happy. I thank you and your pastor, who has so long 
presided over you, for the great kindness and respect for 
me, so often manifested, at times even when I had no 
right to expect it. He did me the honor of being present 
at my fifty years' jubilee as priest in the Roman Catholic 
Church, and, when I was occasionally sick, of not only 
inquiring about me, but personally visiting me at my 
residence. I, therefore, offer you this letter of apology 
for not being with you to-night, personally, and to con- 
gratulate you and your venerable pastor on this occasion 
of the fortieth year of his pastorate. May he long be al- 
lowed to enjoy in happiness and peace his venerable 
years, and the kind good will of his parishioners and citi- 



276 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

zens of Troy ad multos annos, is my prayer for him to- 
night. 

Most respectfully, your devoted friend in Christ, 

PETER HAVERMANS, 

Pastor of St. Mary's Church. 

Tkoy, N. Y., July 6th, 1884. 
Dear Dr. Baldwin : 

I exceedingly regret my inability to attend the next 
Sabbath service at your church. It cannot fail to be an 
occasion of deep interest to yourself and your people. A 
pastorate of forty years is so rare, that the circumstance 
alone renders it extraordinary. But in your case the in- 
terest is greatly increased by the consideration that dur- 
ing all these years you have labored with untiring zeal, 
patience, and devotion to the sacred trust, and yourself 
and people can now rejoice together over the beneficent 
results of such faithful service. That church, under your 
leadership, attended by the blessing of God, has become 
a power for good, so that its salutary influence is felt and 
acknowledged, not only in the city of Troy, but through- 
out the land. Your kindly relations with other religious 
denominations, and the personal friendships which you 
have formed, will preserve your memory in the grateful 
recollection of those friends long after you have passed to 
your reward. Please accept for yourself and people my 
kindest regards, with the sincere desire that you may live 
among us many years, and that your life may be serena 
and happy. Truly your friend, 

C. R. INGALLS, 
Judge of the Supreme Court of N. Y. 



A FORTY-ONE YEAES' PASTORATE. 277 

New York, July 11th, 1884. 
Geo. C. Baldwin, D. D., 

My Dear George : — The Committee of Arrangements 
for your fortieth anniversary of pastoral work have fav- 
ored me with an invitation to be present, which I am 
sorry to say, will not be in my power. 

And now, this forty years — I am as hira that dreams. 
Is there no mistake in the reckoning ? Do I not remem- 
ber your old meeting-house, hearing Jacob Kuapp preach 
in it? And did I not hail you as a bright, beautiful young 
man, just consecrating your fresh, pure, and vigorous life 
to the man of Kazareth? All that was ^^esterday, George, 
not forty years ago. At that time forty years was a vast 
vista, opening its long-drawn lesson like an unborn 
eternity. And I am not forty years older, nor are you. 
The world says we are, the time-tables say so, our heads 
say so, but the inner heart says " No," and the head 
shakes and says " No," when the heart is talking, but 
when it stops all is still again, and the heart whispers to 
itself, so that the head cannot hear it, and says : " Yes, I 
am." And, oh, what years they have been with you, 
George ! Who is left ? Count them. I would, but my 
eyes fill and I cannot see the figures. What battles 
fought, and conquests gained ; what harvests sown and 
reaped ; what hopes fostered and realized ! In my heart 
of hearts I kiss you. Forty years our hearts have beaten 
together, throb by throb, without once stopping, or part- 
ing, or suspending the vital love of brotherhood ; and my 
own heart beats as warm, as strong, as true to-day as 
when I grasped your hand the first time, in a heavy rain- 



278 A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

storm on the ground of a camp-meeting. That day you 
were wifeless, childless, churchless, asking, " Lord, what 
wilt thou have me to do ? " and where ? Then God gave 
you Troy and such a wife, and such sons, and so many 
precious souls ! Oh ! how heaven and earth have enriched 
themselves out of the lessons of those forty years. There 
are more than " two bands." And when next Sabbath 
comes, and your gentle Lord asks, " Lacked ye any- 
thing?" your church will say, "Nothing, Lord" — and 
your precious children will answer, " Nothing Lord " — 
and yourself and your loving wife will bow with them 
all, and your heart will take up the response, " Nothing, 
Lord, nothing." God bless you, precious one. My soul, 
with yours, is full ; our cups run over. I dare say no 
more. Count me with you in spirit. 

Yours affectionately, THOS. AKMITAGE, 

Pastor Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, N. Y. 



IL 

THE RESIGNATION. 



"While it is true that physical disabilities unfitted me 
for this responsible position, it is not the whole truth. 
It is equally true that had my health been robust, the 
time came when God gave me to see that the church, 
which was and still is "dear to me as the ruby drops 
of my heart^^ needed a new, strange, different pastor ; 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 279 

and that it was as really my duty and privilege to re- 
sign, as it had been to accept this pastorate forty-one 
years ago. David said, " I am as a wonder unto many ; '' 
and truthfully I say, that I am " a wonder '' to my- 
self; and evermore I shall adore the "Lord Jesus, 
who counted me faithful, putting me into that ex- 
alted position, and inexpressibly grateful to his peo- 
ple, whose sympathy, helpfulness, and patience sus- 
tained me in it during the life-time of one and a-third 
generations. Therefore, having notified them in the 
spring that I should do so, I sent the following to the 
church, October 30th, 1885, which, after a generous 
delay, was accepted with no expressions save those of 
tender sympathy and love. 

To THE First Baptist Church Troy, N. Y. 

Beloved Brethren and Sisters : 

Ever since my dangerous illness, more than two years 
ago, I have been physically unable to perform the full 
duties of your pastorate, and have often seriously thought 
of resigning it. So seriously did I think of it, a year ago 
last spring, before the Commemoration on the 13th of July, 
that distrusting my own judgment I consulted with lead- 
ing ministers of our Association as to what I ought to do. 
They unitedly and emphatically advised me not to resign, 
holding that the length of my pastorate made it excep- 
tional. Seventeen months have passed since that consulta- 
tion, and I find my disability not merely remaining; but 



280 A FOKTY-OJ^E YEAES' PASTORATE. 

having become, probably, permanent. Moreover, last 
week I entered upon my sixty-ninth year, and at that age 
physical disabilities are far more likely to increase than 
decrease. I cannot consent, therefore, to tax your abund- 
ant generosity any longer. 

For this cause, with all the gratitude and love of which 
I am now capable, I now and hereby resign to you the 
sacred of&ce of pastor, which has been my crown and glory 
during forty-one blessed years, and ask that this resigna- 
tion be unanimously accepted this evening. 

In reply to many kind inquiries as to my plans for the 
future, I make answer: Having been positively assured 
that it is the cordial desire of all of our people and of our 
neighbors generally that " the mother " and I should con- 
tinue to reside in the city, and believing it to be the will of 
God as well as the wish of our friends, we have concluded 
to remain in our dear old home at No. 101 Fifth Street ; 
retain our membership with you, and myself declining all 
official positions and relations, abide among you as long as 
shall seem duty, simply " as one that serveth," and by 
God's grace, ready " to do good to all " as I may have 
" opportunity." And now may " the grace of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, the love of God, the communion and fellow- 
ship of the Holy Spirit " abide with you always. 
Forever yours in Christ, 

GEORGE C. BALDWIN. 

Troy, October 30, 1885. 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 281 

III. 

THE ACTION OP THE CHURCH. — ITS TESTIMONLAX. 

Subsequently, at an exceptionally large and full reg- 
ular church meeting, the following document, prepared 
by William Shaw, Esq., was unanimously adopted by 
a rising vote ; 

TESTIMONIAL, 

A ministry of foHy-one years, crowded with abund- 
ant labors, and crowned with the divine benediction, has 
been brought to a close. The waning health of our be- 
loved pastor has compelled us at last to yield to his desire 
for rest. And with an affection and gratitude that must 
forever hereafter be to him the very essence of heavenly 
love, we have reluctantly consented ta sever the official re- 
latione which, during almost half a century, have made 
this church and its pastor ^'one and inseparable.^^ 

In this supreme moment, when history is fast forming 
its unchangeable records, we, the members of the First 
Baptist Church of Troy, as an expression of our un- 
bounded appreciation and love, and for the purpose of 
fitly markirig this great event in our church history, do 
hereby unanimously adopt the following 

MEMORIAL : 

On the 9th day of July, ISJfJp, this church, without a 
dissenting vote, called to its pastorate our beloved pastor, 
Rev. George C. Baldwin, D. D. This call was accepted. 



282 A forty-o:j^e years' pastorate. 

and in the following August, in all the vigor of youth, he 
entered upon his duties. He brought with him his young 
wife, and together they settled down in this cemmunity to 
a work that has since become immortal. Through all the 
changes and vicissitudes of forty-one years they have re- 
mained at their post of duty, he the faithful and devoted 
pastor, and she his beloved companion, the recognized 
mother of the church. 

To-day, as we look back ova'' the track of years, we 
behold the evidences of our pastor^s marvelous work all 
about us, and our hearts are filled tvith gratitude and joy 
at the 7'esults accomplished. This strong and prosperous 
church — its great spiritual influence and power — the 
high rank it holds in the community and defnomination, 
and, above all, the large number of precious souls who 
have here been brought into the kingdom, attest the great- 
ness of his ministry. We look beyond the church, and 
find his hands and brain have been busy in every field 
of human effort and need. In this community, where 
his active life has been spent, he is venerated and loved 
in every household. In the State, and throughout this 
vast covntry, from sea to frontier^, he is everywhere known 
and honored, while in the great denomination of ichich 
he is so distinguished a champion, his influence is un- 
bounded, and his very name a " tower of strength,'^ 

We, icho have been so highly favored with his pei^sonal 
friendship and presence, recall with pride and gratitude 
his long and devoted ministry — his tireless labors^ his 



A FORTY-OXE YEARS' PASTORATE. 283 

earnest words of exhortation and sympathy, his unselfish 
love, his matchless loyalty to Christ and to his church — 
and we thank God to-night for the priceless gift of such 
a pastor, and for the heavenly favor of such an extended 
and fruitful pastorate. 

While we deeply regret the sundering of the official ties 
so long and so happily existing, we neveiiheless rejoice in 
the assurance that our beloved pastor's work in our midst 
is not ended. The watch-fires lighted by his devoted 
hands will still burn and glow with undhnished bril- 
liancy, and in all the years to come their flashing light 
will show the way to the spiritual encampment of God's 
redeemed and chosen people. Here on earth, and on the 
sun-lit shores of heaven, his work must still go on. 
Others may carry the banner, other forms crowd to the 
front ; but his spirit, conscious and alert, will inspire 
our zeal, and lead us in every movement having for its 
object the good of humanity and tlie glory of God. 
Could the sainted dead of forty-eme years, now clothed 
in immoi'tality , speak to us to-night, with one voice they 
would join all our living membership in paying this 
grateful tribute to the worth and work of him whose apos- 
tolic ministry will forever be the joy and glory of the 
church. 

And now, in view of all that our pastor has been to 
us, and as a substantial and deserved recogyiition of his 
long and remarkable service, during which age and 
physical weakness have taken the place of youth and 



284 A FOETY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 

strength, we, the members of the First Baptist Church 
of Troy, regularly convened and duly organized, do 
hereby unanimously tender and agree to pay to our be- 
loved pastor. Rev. George C. Baldwin, D, D., an an- 
nuity during the remainder of his life of %1^W0, to date 
from the first day of November, 1885, and fo be paid 
out of the general funds of the church, in regular 
quarter-yearly instalments. And we do hereby make the 
payment of said annuity a charge upon the church and 
its property, and direct our Board of Trustees and 
Church Treasurer to pay the same in the manner herein 
set forth, 

Frank H. Knox, J. T. Waltermin, 

Church Clei'h, Deacon Presiding, 

Troy, If. F., November 13^ 1885, 



TV, 

RETIRED PASTORS. 



" O power to do ! O baffled will ! 

O prayer and action ! Ye are one — 
"Who may not work, may not fulfill 

The harder task, of standing still." 

Whittier. 

" They also serve, who only stand and wait." 

Milton. 

" It is better that men should soon make up their 
minds to be forgotten, and look about them, or within 



A FORTY-ONE YEARS' PASTORATE. 285 

them, for some higher motive, in what they do, than the 
approbation of men, which is Fan>e ; namely, their duty ; 
that they should be constantly and quietly at work, each 
in his sphere, regardless of effects, and leaving their fame 
to take care of itself. . . . Fame comes only when de- 
served, and then is as inevitable as destiny ; for it is 
destiny." — Longfellow. 

It is generally believed that a retired pastor ought 
to remove from the church he has served, because it 
is assumed to be an impossibility for him to remain 
and be loyal to his successor. That there should 
have been occasion for this belief, I hold to be dis- 
graceful to the ministry, and dishonoring to Chris- 
tianity. I have always held that it is not only a 
possibility, but a high privilege for one in that posi- 
tion, to be the most helpful of all his church members 
to the pastor. I shall be pardoned, therefore, if I give 
here, what was written by my successor and pastor, 
L. M. S. Haynes, d. d., and published by him iii 
" The Examiner,'' of April 7th, 1887 : 

" Dr. Baldwin has demonstrated that an ex-pastor 
of forty-one years' standing can love and help his suc- 
cessor. Our relations are delightful. The church is 
thoroughly united." 

It is dangerous to an old tree to transplant it. And 
it must be painful for an old minister to remove from 



286 A FOETY-ONE YEAKS' PASTORATE. 

his familiar associations with a place, a community, a 
church. But, if he cannot honestly accept the posi- 
tion, with all its limitations; if he has neither the 
manliness or grace to serve as faithfully in the humble 
sphere, as he did in the exalted one, then for " Zion's 
sake," and to preserve the honor of his own name, he 
ought at once " to fold his tent, like the Arab, and 
silently steal away." How many and mighty are the 
motives which should induce in him, not merely 
acquiescence to the inevitable, but cheerful, grateful 
acceptance of it ! 

Memories of the covenant faithfulness of God and 
his people ought to shed a warm halo over all the 
long past ; gratitude for what of health and strength 
remain, both to enjoy and serve in lowlier ministries, 
ought to inspire with serene courage ; and above all, 
the opportunity of showing that beneath lengthening 
shadows the fruits of the Spirit may grow more and 
more richly, ought to give "the peace of God which 
passeth all understanding," keeping his heart from 
murmuring or desponding. 

Two hundred years ago Governor Endicott, of Mas- 
sachusetts, planted a pear tree, which still bears fruit, 
whose flavor cannot be distinguished from that of a 
young tree. 

Dr. Peabody thus beautifully states the precious 



A FOPvTY-OXE years' PASTORATE. 287 

truth: "The growth of character need Dot be ar- 
rested, suspended, or retarded by any earthly vicissi- 
tude. It ripens in late autumn. It mellows under 
the frosts of the declining life-year. When the steps 
become feeble, the memory treacherous, and the active 
powers the mere shadow of what they were, the love 
of God and man, submission and resignation, faith 
and truth, may still be in the ascendant; and the 
years when there shall be no longer the capacity for 
pursuits that begin and end on earth, may find the 
soul still advancing in its heavenward career, its even- 
ing shadows glowing in the morning twilight of the 
uneudino: dav. This mav be verified bv the words of 
the prophet, when as to things earthly, on the once 
fruitful vine there shall be left only "two or three 
berries on the top of the uppermost bough, four or 
five on the outmost branches; but in that day a man 
shall look to his Maker, and his eyes have respect to 
the Holv One of Israel." 

"Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto 
him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb 
forever and ever." Amen ! 



THE END. 



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